252 'VARIATION UNDER DOMESTICATION.' [1867. 



so much friendship, should unnecessarily make enemies, and 

 there is pain and vexation enough in the world without more 

 being caused. But I repeat that I can feel no doubt that 

 your work will greatly advance our subject, and I heartily 

 wish it could be translated into English, for my own sake and 

 that of others. With respect to what you say about my ad- 

 vancing too strongly objections against my own views, some 

 of my English friends think that I have erred on this side ; 

 but truth compelled me to write what I did, and I am inclined 

 to think it was good policy. The belief in the descent theory 

 is slowly spreading in England,* even amongst those who can 

 give no reason for their belief. No body of men were at first 

 so much opposed to my views as the members of the London 

 Entomological Society, but now I am assured that, with the 

 exception of two or three old men, all the members concur 

 with me to a certain extent. It has been a great disappoint- 

 ment to me that I have never received your long letter writ- 

 ten to me from the Canary Islands. I am rejoiced to hear 

 that your tour, which seems to have been a most interesting 

 one, has done your health much good. I am working away 

 at my new book, but make very slow progress, and the work 

 tries my health, which is much the same as when you were 

 here. 



Victor Carus is going to translate it, but whether it is 

 worth translation, I am rather doubtful. I am very glad to 

 hear that there is some chance of your visiting England this 

 autumn, and all in this house will be delighted to see you 

 here.. 



Believe me, my dear Haeckel, 



Yours very sincerely, 



Charles Darwin. 



* In October 1867 he wrote to Mr. Wallace : — " Mr. Warrington has 

 lately read an excellent and spirited abstract of the ' Origin ' before the 

 Victoria Institute, and as this is a most orthodox body, he has gained the 

 name of the Devil's Advocate. The discussion which followed during 

 three consecutive meetings is very rich from the nonsense talked. If you 

 would cave to see the number I could send it you." 



