244 PUBLICATION OF THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES.' [1859. 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



Down [December 2ist, 1859]. 



MY DEAR HOOKER, Pray give my thanks to Mrs. Hooker 

 for her extremely kind note, which has pleased me much. 

 We are very sorry she cannot come here, but shall be delighted 

 to see you and W. (our boys will be at home) here in the 

 2nd week of January, or any other time. I shall much enjoy 

 discussing any points in my book with you. . . . 



I hate to hear you abuse your own work. I, on the con- 

 trary, so sincerely value all that you have written. It is an old 

 and firm conviction of mine, that the Naturalists who accumu- 

 late facts and make many partial generalisations are the real 

 benefactors of science. Those who merely accumulate facts I 

 cannot very much respect. 



I had hoped to have come up for the Club to-morrow, but 

 very much doubt whether I shall be able. Ilkley seems to 

 have done me no essential good. I attended the Bench on 

 Monday, and was detained in adjudicating some troublesome 

 cases i hours longer than usual, and came home utterly 

 knocked up, and cannot rally. I am not worth an old 



button Many thanks for your pleasant note. 



Ever yours, 



C. DARWIN. 



P.S. I feel confident that for the future progress of the 

 subject of the origin, and manner of formation of species, the 

 assent and arguments and facts of working naturalists, like 

 yourself, are far more important than my own book ; so for 

 God's sake do not abuse your Introduction. 



C. Darwin to Asa Gray. 



Down, December 2ist [1859]. 



MY DEAR GRAY, I have just received your most kind, 

 long, and valuable letter. I will write again in a few days, for 

 I am at present unwell and much pressed with business : 



