xxv] DARWIN 15 



discusses many great subjects, such as the existence of God, 

 immortality, the moral sense, the progress of society, etc. 

 I think some of his propositions rest on very uncertain 

 foundations, and I could get no clear idea of his notions 

 about God. Notwithstanding this and other blemishes, the 

 book has interested me extremely. Perhaps I have been to 

 some extent deluded, as he manifestly ranks too high what I 

 have done. 



■ I am delighted to hear that you spend so much time 

 out-of-doors and in your garden. From Newman's old book 

 (I forget title) about the country near Godalming, it must be 

 charming. 



" We have just returned home after spending five weeks 

 on Ullswater. The scenery is quite charming, but I cannot 

 walk, and everything tries me, even seeing scenery, talking 

 with any one, or reading much. What I shall do with my 

 few remaining years of life I can hardly tell. I have every- 

 thing to make me happy and contented, but life has become 

 very wearysome to me. I heard lately from Miss Buckley 

 in relation to Lyell's Life, and she mentioned that you were 

 thinking of Switzerland, which I should think and hope that 

 you would enjoy much. 



" I see that you are going to write on the most difficult 

 political question, the land. Something ought to be done, 

 but what is the rub. I hope that you will (not) turn renegade 

 to natural history ; but I suppose that politics are very 

 tempting. 



" With all good wishes for yourself and family, 

 ■ Believe me, my dear Wallace, 

 "Yours very sincerely, 



" Charles Darwin." 



This letter is, to me, perhaps the most interesting I ever 

 received from Darwin, since it shows that it was only the 

 engrossing interests of his scientific and literary work, per- 

 formed under the drawback of almost constant ill-health, 

 that prevented him from taking a more active part in the 

 discussion of those social and political questions that so 



