1 6 THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES. 



modification implies divergence, and we become so habituated 

 to a belief in descent, and therefore in divergence, that we 

 do not notice the absence of proof that divergence is in itself 

 an advantage. As shown in the Autobiography, my father 

 in 1876 found it hardly credible that he should have over- 

 looked the problem and its solution. 



The following letter will be more in place here than its 

 chronological position, since it shows what was my father's 

 feeling as to the value of the Sketch at the time of its 

 completion.] 



C. Darwin to Mrs. Darwin. 



Down, July 5, 1844. 



... I have just finished my sketch of my species theory. 

 If, as I believe, my theory in time be accepted even by 

 one competent judge, it will be a considerable step in science. 



I therefore write this in case of my sudden death, as my 

 most solemn and last request, which I am sure you will con- 

 sider the same as if legally entered in my will, that you will 

 devote 400 to its publication, and further, will yourself, or 

 through Hensleigh,* take trouble in promoting it. I wish 

 that my sketch be given to some competent person, with this 

 sum to induce him to take trouble in its improvement and 

 enlargement. I give to him all my books on Natural History, 

 which are either scored or have references at the end to the 

 pages, begging him carefully to look over and consider such 

 passages as actually bearing, or by possibility bearing, on 

 this subject. I wish you to make a list of all such books as 

 some temptation to an editor. I also request that you will 

 hand over [to] him all those scraps roughly divided in eight 

 or ten brown paper portfolios. The scraps, with copied 

 quotations from various works, are those which may aid my 

 editor. I also request that you, or some amanuensis, will aid 



* Mr. H. Wedgwood. 



