138 THE WRITING OF THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES.' [1858. 



done me in making me make this Abstract ; for though I 

 thought I had got all clear, it has clarified my brains very 

 much, by making me weigh the relative importance of the 

 several elements. 



I have been reading with much interest your (as I believe 

 it to be) capital memoir of R. Brown in the Gardeners* 

 Chronicle. . . . 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



Down, Oct. 1 2th, 1858. 



... I have sent eight copies * by post to Wallace, and 

 will keep the others for him, for I could not think of any one 

 to send any to. 



I pray you not to pronounce too strongly against Natural 

 Selection, till you have read my Abstract [the 'Origin of 

 Species'], for though I dare say you will strike out many 

 difficulties, which have never occurred to me : yet you cannot 

 have thought so fully on the subject as I have. 



I expect my Abstract will run into a small volume, which 

 will have to be published separately. . . . 



What a splendid lot of work you have in hand. 



Ever yours, 



C. DARWIN. 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



Down, Oct. I3th, 1858. 



. . . I have been a little vexed at myself at having asked 

 you not " to pronounce too strongly against Natural Selection." 

 I am sorry to have bothered you, though I have been much 

 interested by your note in answer. I wrote the sentence 

 without reflection. But the truth is, that I have so accustomed 

 myself, partly from being quizzed by my non-naturalist rela- 

 tions, to expect opposition and even contempt, that I forgot for 



* Of the joint paper by C. Darwin and A. R. Wallace. 



