^T. 60.] TO R. W. CHURCH. C13 



and nursing of resources she recovers, she cannot be 

 so strong relatively again, while the German empire 

 holds together. And I suppose you in England have 

 a good deal of misgiving as to what this Germanic 

 power portends. Perhaps the next great wonder, and 

 surely the best thing, may be a great defensive alli- 

 ance of English-speaking people round the world, 

 which woidd render any European continental changes 

 less momentous. 



It seems to me that the hopeful prospect for 

 France is in the ascendency, seemingly assured, of the 

 conservative republicans and the Orleanists. But 

 there are rumors that even the Orleans family are 

 falling out among themselves. 



As I grow older I can sympathize thoroughly with 

 a disinclination you may feel as to assuming any new 

 public duties. The deep ruts which the daily routine 

 of life has worn for us do become such pleasant paths, 

 as one ages, that we do not thank anybody for trying 

 to force us out of them. 



Nothing have we heard or seen of Mr. Horner yet : 

 he has gone South probably, which is wise. I hope 

 he will come this way in June, when we shall be very 

 glad to see him. . . . 



By the way, I see in " Popular Science Keview " a 

 neat presentation of Wallace's points on the limita- 

 tions of natural selection as applied to man, by 

 Buckle (I sui3pose your Oriel friend), who makes the 

 point very well that these limitations apply hardly 

 less, in their way, to other parts of the animal king- 

 dom. 



I am too much occupied with humdrum botanical 

 work to read or think much of such matters. 



Have you read or seen Bryant's translation of the 



