482. LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1862, 
unfriendly attitude of England gives us much con- 
cern. Were it not for that, it is thought we should 
soon put an end to our rebellion. But I will not 
write of such matters now. 
July 2, 1862. 
No fear about our army, now so great. It is 
largely composed of materials such as nothing but a 
high sense of duty could keep for a year in military 
life. It will dissolve like last winter’s snow when no 
more needed. 
While I write, a great battle is in progress, decisive 
if we gain it and take the rebel capital, simply pro- 
longing the strife if we do not. We can raise at once 
another army if need be; and yet another. Indeed 
300,000 more men are now to be accepted, to recruit 
our ranks and make a sure thing of the result. - 
Confident of our cause, we expect confidently the 
favor of Providence. . . . 
What a charming book is that of Darwin on orchid 
fertilization ! 
TO CHARLES WRIGHT. 
CamprinGE, April 17, 1862. 
I am at work in college now, you know, and it is 
very hard work. This last vacation I had to make a 
new edition and new additions to my “ Manual,” ete., 
and to do it in a hurry, and I have at length, for the 
first time, found out that I am growing old. In fact 
I broke down under it, and have injured my health a 
little. . . . I doubt if I ever recover the spring and 
vim of former times. But we shall see. . . . 
My hard work has got correspondence all horridly 
behindhand, and determined me to draw in my horns, 
