480 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1862, 
determined to baptize [“The Origin of Species ”], 
nolens volens, which will be its salvation. But if you 
won’t have it done, it will be damned, I fear... . 
Things move on here, on the whole, very well. 
Yes, I will promise not to hate you; quite the con- 
trary ! 
Our sensitiveness as to England was the natural re- 
sult of the strong filial feeling on our part. It was 
very undignified, I dare say. But I think we are get- 
ting bravely over it, and getting really not to care 
what the Old Country may think or say, so it lets us 
alone. 
As to Rebeldom, there is now hardly any State 
that we have not got some foothold in. 
I do not do so much scientific work as before the 
war, but still I keep pottering away. From now till 
July, I can expect to do little besides my college 
duties. Ever, dear Darwin, your cordial friend and 
true Yankee, A. Gray. 
May 18. 
Yesterday came by post the sheets B-I of your 
Orchid book. 
This evening (Sunday) I have opened the par- 
cel and read introduction and chapter i. What a 
charming book it is! You are right in issuing it in 
this form. It would be a sin not to do so. 
I fear, though, that no publisher would reprint it 
here; though I may, on reading farther, conclude to 
offer it to the Appletons, who should have the refusal. 
But it will surely be popular in England, where or- 
chids are popular and the species known to most 
intelligent and educated people. I hope soon to get 
the other sheets. I am perfectly delighted with 
