Alfred Russel Wallace 



Down, Beckenham, Kent. April 20, [1870]. 



My dear Wallace, — I have just received your book 

 [^^ Natural Selection"]' and read the preface. There 

 never has been passed on me, or indeed on anyone, a 

 higher eulogium than yours. I wish that I fully deserved 

 it. Your modesty and candour are very far from new to 

 me. I hope it is a satisfaction to you to reflect — and very 

 few things in my life have been more satisfactory to me — 

 that we have never felt any jealousy towards each other, 

 though in one sense rivals. I believe that I can say this 

 of myself with truth, and I am absolutely sure that it is 

 true of you. 



You have been a good Christian to give a list of your 

 additions, for I want much to read them, and I should 

 hardly have had time just at present to have gone through 

 all your articles. 



Of course, I shall immediately read those that are new 

 or greatly altered, and I will endeavour to be as honest as 

 can reasonably be expected. Your book looks remarkably 

 well got up. — Believe me, my dear Wallace, to remain yours 

 very cordially, Ch. Darwin. 



Doton, Beckenham, Kent, S.E. June 5, 1870, 



My dear Wallace, — As imitation and protection are your 

 subjects I have thought that you would like to possess the 

 enclosed curious drawing. The note tells all I know about 

 it.— Yours very sincerely, qh^ Darwin. 



P.S. — I read not long ago a German article on the colours 

 of female birds, and that author leaned rather strongly to 

 your side about nidification. I forget who the author was, 

 but he seemed to know a good deal. — C. D. 



> Inserted by A. R. \V. 

 252 



