7. 55.) TO CHARLES DARWIN. 549 
promptly, brought all away. I have stuck some cot- 
ton on to the lath at the proper height for the next 
pair of tendrils. The tendril near by stuck fast at 
once, and is beginning to develop the disks, and now 
the tendril of the other leaf has bent abruptly round, 
and seized the cotton with avidity. Are there any 
new observations I can make ? 
The Fenian scare, we have supposed here, was 
mainly a plan of certain rogues here to fleece their poor 
countrymen and women, poor servants and working- 
men! Nothing more could come of it. But I sadly 
fear many here have enjoyed the trouble it has given 
and the alarm it has excited, especially among our 
neighbors in New Brunswick, who rather enjoyed our 
woes two or three years ago. 
Yes, slavery is thoroughly done for. We have a 
bad set to deal with at the South; and holding wolf 
by the ears is no pleasant nor hopeful occupation, as 
the temper of the wolf does not improve under the 
holding. But we shall jangle out of the difficulty in 
time, even with. such a crooked character as our Pres- 
ident to deal with also. 
Bring out the book on Variation soon. 
July 3. 
. .. So there is war on the Continent; really a 
war “for empire,” as Lord Russell said our war was. 
Now our war was a simple necessity ; this Continental 
one a crime, in which all parties participate. I wish, 
but do not expect, Prussia to be crushed as one result. 
I wish all her coast could be annexed to Denmark! 
However, it is no affair of ours, being on the other 
side of the Atlantic. And when a nation can get 
strength and power by robbery, it will be likely to 
rob. 
