1859.J AGASSIZ— DE CANDOLLE. II 



C. Darwin to L. Agassiz* 



Down, November nth [1859]. 

 My dear Sir, — I have ventured to send you a copy of 

 my book (as yet only an abstract) on the ' Origin of Species.' 

 As the conclusions at which I have arrived on several points 

 differ so widely from yours, I have thought (should you at 

 any time read my volume) that you might think that I had 

 sent it to you out of a spirit of defiance or bravado ; but I 

 assure you that I act under a wholly different frame of mind. 

 I hope that you will at least give me credit, however errone- 

 ous you may think my conclusions, for having earnestly 

 endeavoured to arrive at the truth. With sincere respect, I 



beg leave to remain, 



Yours, very faithfully, 



Charles Darwin. 



C. Darwin to A. De Candolle. 



Down, November nth [1859]. 

 Dear Sir, — I have thought that you would permit me to 

 send you (by Messrs. Williams and Norgate, booksellers) 

 a copy of my work (as yet only an abstract) on the ' Origin of 

 Species.' I wish to do this, as the only, though quite inade- 

 quate manner, by which I can testify to you the extreme 



* Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz, born at Mortier, on the lake of Morat 

 in Switzerland, on May 28, 1807. He emigrated to America in 1846, 

 where he spent the rest of his life, and died Dec. 14, 1873. His ' Life,' 

 written by his widow, was published in 1885. The following extract 

 from a letter to Agassiz (1850) is worth giving, as showing how my father 

 regarded him, and it may be added that his cordial feelings towards the 

 great American naturalist remained strong to the end of his life : — 



" I have seldom been more deeply gratified than by receiving your 

 most kind present of ' Lake Superior.' I had heard of it, and had much 

 wished to read it, but I confess that it was the very great honour of having 

 in my possession a work with your autograph as a presentation copy that 

 has given me such lively and sincere pleasure. I cordially thank you for 

 it. I have begun to read it with uncommon interest, which I see will in- 

 crease as I go on." 



