aT. 60.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 615 
thousand dollars; and I am authorized to get plans 
and estimates complete, and I suppose it will be done, 
though I have no positive assurance of it yet. I 
thought you would like to know it, without waiting 
till all is absolutely settled. 
Here is a second sheet filled: thick paper, too, and 
I must cut all short. How I wish we could be with 
you in Switzerland next summer! 
Ever yours affectionately, Asa GRAY. 
TO CHARLES DARWIN. 
March 10, 1871. 
My pear Darwin, —It is very good of you to 
send me, and so kindly address, a copy of your new 
book,! which safely reached me two days ago. I have 
not yet had time to read any of it, except the preface 
and the ending ; and I do not like to dip into it and 
so blunt the edge of curiosity. So I keep it well out 
of sight, not caring to look just yet at any of the 
pages which you think likely to “aggravate” me, 
until some day I can get a good pull at it... . 
April 14, 1871. 
You have such a way of putting things, and you 
write in such a captivating way. One can only 
say : — 
Almost thou persuadest me to have been “a hairy 
quadruped, of arboreal habits, furnished with a tail 
and pointed ears,” ete. 
But I have read only the first part of the book 
and the closing chapters; have left all the Sexual 
Selection till I can read it leisurely next summer, and 
1 The Descent of Man. 
