i860.] HISTORICAL SKETCH. ^j 



the way I write [to] you, and especially [to] Hooker, this 

 might not be inferred from the reading of my letters. 



I am free to say that I never learnt so much from one 

 book as I have from yours. There remain a thousand things 

 I long to say about it. 



Ever yours, 



Asa Gray. 



C. Darwin to Asa Gray. 



[February? i8co.] 



Now I will just run through some points in your 



letter. What you say about my book gratifies me most 

 deeply, and I wish I could feel all was deserved by me. I 

 quite think a review from a man, who is not an entire convert, 

 if fair and moderately favourable, is in all respects the best 

 kind of review. About the weak points I agree. The eye 

 to this day gives me a cold shudder, but when I think of the 

 fine known gradations, my reason tells me I ought to conquer 

 the cold shudder. 



Pray kindly remember and tell Prof. Wyman how very 

 grateful I should be for any hints, information, or criticisms. 

 I have the highest respect for his opinion. I am so sorry 

 about Dana's health. I have already asked him to pay me a 

 visit. 



Farewell, you have laid me under a load of obligation — 

 not that I feel it a load. It is the highest possible gratification 

 to me to think that you have found my book worth reading 

 and reflection ; for you and three others I put down in my own 

 mind as the judges whose opinions I should value most of all. 

 My dear Gray, yours most sincerely, 



C. Darwin. 



P.S. — I feel pretty sure, from my own experience, that if 

 you are led by your studies to keep the subject of the origin 

 of species before your mind, you will go further and further 

 in your belief. It took me long years, and I assure you I am 



