XII. 



THE COMING OF AGE OF "THE OKIGIN OF 

 SPECIES." 



of you will be familiar with, the aspect of this 

 small green-covered book. It is a copy of the first edi- 

 tion of the " Origin of Species," and bears the date of its 

 production the 1st of October 1859. Only a few 

 months, therefore, are needed to complete the full tale 

 of twenty-one years since its birthday. 



Those whose memories carry them back to this time 

 will remember that the infant was remarkably lively, 

 and that a great number of excellent persons mistook its 

 manifestations of a vigorous individuality for mere 

 naughtiness; in fact there was a very pretty turmoil 

 about its cradle. My recollections of the period are par- 

 ticularly vivid ; for, having conceived a tender affection 

 for a child of what appeared to me to be such remark- 

 able promise, I acted for some time in the capacity of a 

 sort of under-nurse, and thus came in for my share of 

 the storms which threatened the very life of the young 

 creature. For some years it was undoubtedly warm 

 work; but considering how exceedingly unpleasant the 



