504. LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1863, 
3. On transmutation matters. That part of the 
book I can judge somewhat of, and I declare it first- 
rate. It is just about what I expected, and is charac- 
teristic of the man. I think that you, and Hooker, 
are unreasonable in complaining of Lyell that he 
does not come out “ flat-footed,” as we say, as an ad- 
vocate of natural-selection transmutation. For, 1st, it 
is evident that though inclined strongly towards it he 
is by no means satisfied that natural selection will do 
all the work you put upon it. 2d, he very plainly 
implies nearly all you would have him say. And, 3d, 
he serves your cause (supposing it to be well-founded) 
quite as effectually, perhaps, by his guarded position, 
by his keeping the position of a judge rather than of 
an advocate, and by considering still the case as not 
yet ripe for a decision. 
Very skillfully, too, has he presented the case of 
transmutation so as to commend it, as much as pos- 
sible, to us orthodox people. (Huxley, I suppose, 
whose two books I have not seen, would put it in a 
way to frighten us off.) Indeed, I think he has shown 
remarkable judgment and taste, and will have much 
success in disarming prejudice. And this is all you 
could ask. 
The chapter on language makes the points I sup- 
posed would be made, or some of them, but only dips 
in, leaving more to be said. But this is rather tick- 
lish ground, for, if we are not careful here, you would 
get the better of us in this field quoad design. 
f I had got the book three or four weeks earlier I 
should have worked in some notice of the last chapter 
into my review of De Candolle, ete., i Species, in 
the May number of “ Silliman’s Journa 
Now please do not think of being = this spring, 
