2/8 THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES.' [i860, 



P.S. The new edition has some few corrections, and I will 

 send in MS. some additional corrections, and a short historical 

 preface, to Schweitzerbart. 



How interesting you could make the work by editing (I do 

 not mean translating) the work, and appending notes of 

 refutation or confirmation. The book has sold so very largely 

 in England, that an editor would, I think, make profit by the 

 translation. 



C. Darwin to H. G, Bronn. 



Down, Feb. 14 [1860]. 



MY DEAR AND MUCH HONOURED SlR, I thank you 

 cordially for your extreme kindness in superintending the 

 translation. I have mentioned this to some eminent scientific 

 men, and they all agree that you have done a noble and 

 generous service. If I am proved quite wrong, yet I comfort 

 myself in thinking that my book may do some good, as truth 

 can only be known by rising victorious from every attack. I 

 thank you also much for the review, and for the kind manner 

 in which you speak of me. I send with this letter some cor- 

 rections and additions to M. Schweitzerbart, and a short 

 historical preface. I am not much acquainted with German 

 authors, as I read German very slowly ; therefore I do not 

 know whether any Germans have advocated similar views 

 with mine ; if they have, would you do me the favour to insert 

 a foot-note to the preface ? M. Schweitzerbart has now the 

 reprint ready for a translator to begin. Several scientific men 

 have thought the term " Natural Selection " good, because its 

 meaning is not obvious, and each man could not put on it his 

 own interpretation, and because it at once connects variation 

 under domestication and nature. Is there any analogous 

 term used by German breeders of animals ? " Adelung," 

 ennobling, would, perhaps, be too metaphorical. It is folly in 

 me, but I cannot help doubting whether " Wahl der Lebens- 

 weise " expresses my notion. It leaves the impression on my 



