526 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1864, 
tical and social questions, on which I would fain know 
what you think. But I cannot write longer now. 
Only as to our war, I beg you to believe that we 
(the earnest thoughtful people and most around us, 
according to their measure) have acted and are act- 
ing from the highest sense of duty, — duty to our be- 
loved country and to humanity ; and we keep the full 
conviction that great and permanent good is to result. 
Much of the good we see already, and more comes 
near to realization every day. So we work and trust, 
and suffer cheerfully. We only wish our views and 
motives were better appreciated in general in the 
country and by the people whose good opinion we 
most value. But even the lack of that appreciation, 
which is far from universal, is likely to do us good. 
I am always sure of your thoughtful good wishes for 
us. But I must break off. 
Ever yours most sincerely, Asa Gray. 
TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 
Campriper, May 30, 1864. 
My pEAR De CanDoL_E, —I have let your very 
kind letter of 28th January lie on my desk a long time, 
always expecting to write soon, but, having been ex- 
tremely busy with various administrative matters and 
college work since it reached me, the convenient 
moment for writing to you has not arrived till now. 
I inclose a note to my young friend and late col- 
league, Professor Eliot, which I beg you to send to 
the poste restante on arrival. I learn from his friends 
here that he may be expected to be in Geneva about 
the time this reaches you. 
In my note I ask him to call upon you, as a friend 
of mine. He will of course be unwilling to make any 
yn tbe : 
