I845-] THE JOURNAL.' 305 



sincere congratulations. Thanks for all your news. I grieve 

 to hear Humboldt is failing ; one cannot help feeling, though 

 unrightly, that such an end is humiliating : even when I saw 

 him he talked beyond all reason. If you see him again, pray 

 give him my most respectful and kind compliments, and say 

 that I never forget that my whole course of life is due to 

 having read and re-read as a youth his ' Personal Narrative.' 

 How true and pleasing are all your remarks on his kindness ; 

 think how many opportunities you will have, in your new 

 place, of being a Humboldt to others. Ask him about the 

 river in N. E. Europe, with the Flora very different on its 

 opposite banks. I have got and read your Wilkes ; what a 

 feeble book in matter and style, and how splendidly got up ! 

 Do write me a line from Berlin. Also thanks for the proof- 

 sheets. I did not, however, mean proof plates ; I value them, 

 as saving me copying extracts. Farewell, my dear Hooker, 

 with a heavy heart I wish you joy of your prospects. 



Your sincere friend, 



C. Darwin. 



[The second edition of the * Journal,' to which the follow- 

 ing letter refers, was completed between April 25th and Au- 

 gust 25th. It was published by Mr. Murray in the ' Colonial 

 and Home Library,' and in this more accessible form soon 

 had a large sale. 



Up to the time of his first negotiations with Mr. Murray 

 for its publication in this form, he had received payment only 

 in the form of a large number of presentation copies, and he 

 seems to have been glad to sell the copyright of the second 

 edition to Mr. Murray for 150/. 



The points of difference between it and the first edition 

 are of interest chiefly in connection with the growth of the 

 author's views on evolution, and will be considered later.] 



