552 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. (1867, 
as much as I want to attend to, and I do my duty 
to society in looking well after that. . . . 
TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 
' September 10, 1866. 
. The war near you was sharp and quick. Swit- 
zerland is as fortunately placed as any small nation 
can be, when surrounded by strong ones ; but you see 
that in this world only strength can be relied on. See 
what indignity small and weak nations have to suffer. 
I trust present peace may last to consolidate a new 
Germany. But if not, you may have to dread a more 
general upturning on the Continent. 
October 21, 1867. 
. Your analysis of the whole subject of rules 
in sitdeelatias I think is sound and lawyer-like, or 
rather judicial, as well as judicious. There are dan- 
gers and inconveniences on every side, and good sense 
and discretion are needed in the application of these 
as of all rules. 
Very faithfully yours, Asa GRAY. 
TO GEORGE BENTHAM. 
January 21, 1867. 
My pear Bentruam,— Many thanks for your 
kind remembrance of us in your letter at the end of 
the year, which reached me only three or four days 
ago. I avail myself of the first foreign post since to 
return, with Mrs. Gray’s love, our heartiest good 
wishes to Mrs. Bentham and yourself, and I trust you 
will be able to keep up yet, for a good many precious 
years, the steady botanical work which you make so 
telling. ... 
