1 859.] SIR J. D. HOOKER. 22/ 



still widening hiatus. But how greatly this, with your 

 chronology of animal life, will shock the ideas of many 

 men ! 



Very sincerely, 



HEWETT C. WATSON. 



J. D. Hooker to C. Darwin. 



Athenaeum, Monday [Nov. 21, 1859]. 



MY DEAR DARWIN, I am a sinner not to have written 

 you ere this, if only to thank you for your glorious book 

 what a mass of close reasoning on curious facts and fresh 

 phenomena it is capitally written, and will be very suc- 

 cessful. I say this on the strength of two or three plunges 

 into as many chapters, for I have not yet attempted to read 

 it. Lyell, with whom we are staying, is perfectly enchanted, 

 and is absolutely gloating over it. I must accept your com- 

 pliment to me, and acknowledgment of supposed assistance 

 from me, as the warm tribute of affection from an honest 

 (though deluded) man, and furthermore accept it as very 

 pleasing to my vanity ; but, my dear fellow, neither my name 

 nor my judgment nor my assistance deserved any such com- 

 pliments, and if I am dishonest enough to be pleased with 

 what I don't deserve, it must just pass. How different the 

 book reads from the MS. I see I shall have much to talk 

 over with you. Those lazy printers have not finished my 

 luckless Essay ; which, beside your book, will look like a 

 ragged handkerchief beside a Royal Standard . . . 



All well, ever yours affectionately, 



Jos. D. HOOKER. 



Q 2 



