Alfred Russel Wallace 



Sir C. Lyell to A. R. Wallace 



73 Harley Street. March 13, 1869. 



Dear Wallace, — . . . I am reading your new book,^ of 

 which you kindly sent me a copy, with very great pleasure. 

 Nothing equal to it has come out since Darwin's ^' Voyage 

 of the Beagle." . . . The history of the Mias is very well 

 done. I am not yet through the first volume, but my wife is 

 deep in the second and much taken with it. It is so rare 

 to be able to depend on the scientific knowledge and accuracy 

 of those who have so much of the wonderful to relate. . . . 

 — Believe me ever most truly yours, Cha. Lyell. 



Canon Kingsley to A. R. Wallace 



Eversley Rectory, Winch-field. May 5, 1869. 



My dear Sir, — I am reading — or rather have all but read — 

 your new book,' with a delight which I cannot find words 

 to express save those which are commonplace superlatives. 

 Let me felicitate you on having, at last, added to the know- 

 ledge of our planet a chapter which has not its equal (as far 

 as I can recollect) since our friend Darwin's " Voyage of the 

 Beagle. ^^ Let me, too, compliment you on the modesty and 

 generosity which you have shown, in dedicating your book 

 to Darwin, and speaking of him and his work as you have 

 done. Would that a like unselfish chivalry were more com- 

 mon — I do not say amongst scientific men, for they have it 

 in great abundance, but — in the rest of the community. 



May I ask — as a very great favour — to be allowed to call 

 on you some day in London, and to see your insects ? I and 

 ray daughter are soon, I hope, going to the West Indies, for 

 plants and insects, among other things ; and the young lady 

 might learn much of typical forms from one glance at your 

 treasures. 



* " The Malay Archipelago." 



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