The Wallace-Darwin Correspondence 



ope earnestly the second volume will escape as well. I 

 are now very little what others say. As for our not quite 

 greeing, really in such complex subjects it is almost im- 

 ossible for two men who arrive independently at their 

 onclusions to agree fully — it would be unnatural for them 

 do so.— Yours ever very sincerely, qh. Darwin. 



Holly House, Barking, E, March 11, 1871. 



Dear Darwin, — I need not say that I read your second 

 olume with, if possible, a greater interest than the first, 

 s so mau}^ topics of special interest to me are treated of. 

 'on will not be surprised to find that you have not con- 

 inced me on the ^^ female protection '' question, but you 

 nil be surprised to hear that I do not despair of con vine - 

 Qg you. I have been writing, as you are aware, a review 

 OT the Acad€7ny^ which I tried to refuse doing, but the 

 Mitor used as an argument the statement that you wished 

 le to do so. It is not an easy job fairly to summarise such 



book, but I hope I have succeeded tolerably. When I got 

 }0 discussion, I felt more at home, but I most sincerely trust 

 ihat I may not have let pass any word that may seem to you 

 iQ the least too strong. 



You have not written a word about me that I could wish 

 Itered, but as I know you wish me to be candid with you, 



will mention that you have quoted one passage in a note 

 p. 376, Vol. II.) which seems to me a caricature of anything 



have written. 



Now let me ask you to rejoice with me, for I have got 

 iiy chalk pit, and am hard at w^ork engineering a road up 

 *:s precipitous slopes. I hope you may be able to come and 

 86 me there some day, as it is an easy ride from London, 



nd I shall be anxious to know if it is equal to the pit in 

 'he wilds of Kent Mrs. Darwin mentioned when I lunched 

 nth you. Should your gardener in the autumn have any 



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