318 'DESCENT OF MAN '—EXPRESSION. [1871. 



main nearly the same during many generations, in order that 

 sexual selection should produce any effect, I agree to ; and I 

 think this argument would be sound if used by one who de- 

 nied that, for instance, the plumes of birds of Paradise had 

 been so gained. I believe you admit this, and if so I do not 

 see how your argument applies in other cases. I have recog- 

 nized for some short time that I have made a great omission 

 in not having discussed, as far as I could, the acquisition of 

 taste, its inherited nature, and its permanence within pretty 

 close limits for long periods. 



[With regard to the success of the ' Descent of Man,' I 

 quote from a letter to Professor Ray Lankester (March 22, 

 1871):- 



" I think you will be glad to hear, as a proof of the in- 

 creasing liberality of England, that my book has sold wonder- 

 fully .... and as yet no abuse (though some, no doubt, will 

 come, strong enough), and only contempt even in the poor 

 old Athenceum." 



As to reviews that struck him he wrote to Mr. Wallace 

 (March 24, 1871) : — 



" There is a very striking second article on my book in 

 the Pall Mall. The articles in the Spectator* have also in- 

 terested me much." 



On March 20 he wrote to Mr. Murray : — 



" Many thanks for the Nonconformist [March 8, 1871]. I 

 like to see all that is written, and it is of some real use. If 

 you hear of reviewers in out-of-the-way papers, especially the 

 religious, as Record, Guardian, Tablet, kindly inform me. It 

 is wonderful that there has been no abuse f as yet, but I 



* Spectator, March 11 and 18, 1871. With regard to the evolution of 

 conscience the reviewer thinks that my father comes much nearer to the 

 " kernel of the psychological problem " than many of his predecessors. 

 The second article contains a good discussion of the bearing of the book 

 on the question of design, and concludes by finding in it a vindication of 

 Theism more wonderful than that in Paley's ' Natural Theology.' 



\ " I feel a full conviction that my chapter on man will excite attention 



