The Wallace-Darwin Correspondence 



P.S. — There is a most cutting review of me in the 

 Qmirterly:'^ I have only read a few pages. The skill and 

 style make me think of Mivart. I shall soon be viewed as 

 the most despicable of men. This Quarterly review tempts 

 me to republish Ch. Wright, even if not read by anyone, 

 just to show that someone will say a word against Mivart, 

 and that his (i.e. Mivart's) remarks ought not to be swal- 

 lowed without some reflection. 



I quite agree with what you say that Mivart fully 

 intends to be honourable; but he seems to me to have the 

 mind of a most able lawyer retained to plead against us, 

 and especially against me. God knows whether my 

 strength and spirit will last out to write a chapter versus 

 Mivart and others; I do so hate controversy, and feel I 

 should do it so badly. 



P.S. — I have now finished the review : there can be no 

 doubt it is by Mivart, and wonderfully clever. 



Holly House, Barking , E. July 16, 1871. 



Dear Darwin, — I am very sorry you are so unwell, and 

 that you allow criticisms to worry you so. Remember the 

 noble army of converts you have made ! and the host of 

 the most talented men living who support you wholly. 

 What do you think of putting C. Wright^ s article as an 

 appendix to the new edition of the ^' Origin '' ? That 

 would get it read, and obviate my chief objection, that the 

 people who read Mivart and the '^ Origin " will very few 

 of them buy a separate pamphlet to read. Pamphlets are 

 such nuisances. I don't think Mivart could have written 

 the Quarterly article, but I will look at it and shall, I 

 think, be able to tell. Pray keep your spirits up. I am 

 so distracted by building troubles that I can write nothing, 



1 July, 1871. 

 269 



