24 PUBLICATION OF THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES.' [1859. 



little chagrined by the review.* I hope it was not . As 



advocate, he might think himself justified in giving the argu- 

 ment only on one side. But the manner in which he drags 

 in immortality, and sets the priests at me, and leaves me to 

 their mercies, is base. He would, on no account, burn me, 

 but he will get the wood ready, and tell the black beasts how 

 to catch me. ... It would be unspeakably grand if Huxley 

 were to lecture on the subject, but I can see this is a mere 

 chance ; Faraday might think it too unorthodox. 



... I had a letter from [Huxley] with such tremendous 

 praise of my book, that modesty (as I am trying to cultivate 

 that difficult herb) prevents me sending it to you, which I 

 should have liked to have done, as he is very modest about 

 himself. 



You have cockered me up to that extent, that I now feel I 

 can face a score of savage reviewers. I suppose you are still 

 with the Lyells. Give my kindest remembrance to them. I 

 triumph to hear that he continues to approve. 



Believe me, your would-be modest friend, 



C. D. 



C. Darwin to C. Lyell. 



Ilkley Wells, Yorkshire, 



November 23 [1859]. 



My dear Lyell, — You seemed to have worked admira- 

 bly on the species question ; there could not have been a 

 better plan than reading up on the opposite side. I rejoice 

 profoundly that you intend admitting the doctrine of modifi- 

 cation in your new edition ; f nothing, I am convinced, could 

 be more important for its success. I honour you most sin- 

 cerely. To have maintained in the position of a master, one 



* This refers to the review in the Athenceum, Nov. 19, 1859, where 

 the reviewer, after touching on the theological aspects of the book, leaves 

 the author to " the mercies of the Divinity Hall, the College, the Lecture 

 Room, and the Museum." 



f It appears from Sir Charles Lyell's published letters that he intended 

 to admit the doctrine of evolution in a new edition of the ' Manual,' but 



