VALUE OF THE DISCUSSION. 59 



" I think that I can say with truth that in after years, 

 though I cared in the highest degree for the approbation of 

 such men as Lyell and Hooker, who were my friends, I did 

 not care much about the general public." 



But, although Darwin cared nothing for it, it is 

 nevertheless true that the approbation of minds such 

 as these was a sure indication of the general ap- 

 probation of the intellect of the country, and of the 

 world, which was to follow as soon as the new ideas 

 were absorbed. 



And the value which Darwin himself placed on 

 these discussions appears again and again in his 

 letters. To take " a single example, he writes to 

 Hooker November 23rd, 1856 : 



" I fear I shall weary you with letters, but do not answer 

 this, for in truth and without flattery, I so value your letters, 

 that after a heavy batch, as of late, I feel that I have been 

 extravagant and have drawn too much money, and shall 

 therefore have to stint myself on another occasion." 



