506 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1863, 



sons "), pp. 236, 237, with chapter v., section 1; and 

 you see I have drawn an illustration from it apropos 

 to Falconer's remark. But explaining the obscure by 

 the obscure does not amount to much. 



As to national affairs, how quarrelsome you Eng- 

 lish are. Here are we, cool and quietly occupied with 

 our little affairs, never dreaming of harm from you, 

 and your people are trying their prettiest to pick a 

 quarrel with us, because we do what Historicus says 

 the English have always done and will do again when 

 the time comes, having Lord Stowell to back them ! 

 Tell me, who is Historicus in the " Times " ? An 

 able and most influential person evidently. 



The government of England is now showing sense. 

 Do not wonder that some wild talk is given to the air 

 in this rough country, after what you have heard in 

 the House of Commons, and read in the " Times," etc. 

 Am afraid we shall not like each other for a good 

 while — the nations. But all shows I was right. We 

 must carry out our little job, and hold the United 

 States complete and develop material strength at any 

 cost, or we could not live without eating more dirt than 

 we like. 



Boasting nonsense is pretty well knocked out of us 

 by severe discipline and sad reverses, but the deter- 

 mination is stronger than ever. 



Time up and paper fuU. Forgive my maundering, 

 and believe me to be. 



Ever your affectionate, A. Gray. 



June, [1863]. 

 I am kept distractingly busy, so look for nothing of 

 any use from me yet awhile. 



Your Ohio case of law against marrying of cousins, 



