i860.] REVIEWS. 309 



then Phillips * has given lectures at Cambridge on the same 

 subject, but treated it very fairly. How splendidly Asa Gray 

 is fighting the battle. The effect on me of these multiplied 

 attacks is simply to show me that the subject is worth fight- 

 ing for, and assuredly I will do my best. ... I hope all the 

 attacks make you keep up your courage, and courage you 

 assuredly will require. . . . 



C. Darwin to A. R. Wallace. 



Down, May i8th, 1860. 



MY DEAR MR. WALLACE, I received this morning your 

 letter from Amboyna, dated February i6th, containing some 

 remarks and your too high approval of my book. Your letter 

 has pleased me very much, and I most completely agree with 

 you on the parts which are strongest and which are weakest. 

 The imperfection of the Geological Record is, as you say, the 

 weakest of all ; but yet I am pleased to find that there are 

 almost more geological converts than of pursuers of other 

 branches of natural science. ... I think geologists are 

 more easily converted than simple naturalists, because more 

 accustomed to reasoning. Before telling you about the 

 progress of opinion on the subject, you must let me say how 

 I admire the generous manner in which you speak of my book. 

 Most persons would in your position have felt some envy or 

 jealousy. How nobly free you seem to be of this common 

 failing of mankind. But you speak far too modestly of your- 

 self. You would, if you had my leisure, have done the work 

 just as well, perhaps better, than I have done it 



* John Phillips, M.A., F.R.S., Succession of Life on the earth.' 



born 1800, died 1874, from the The Rede Lecturer is appointed 



effects of a fall. Professor of Geo- annually by the Vice-Chancellor, 



logy at King's College, London, and is paid by an endowment left 



and afterwards at Oxford. He in 1524 by Sir Robert Rede, Lord 



gave the 'Rede' lecture at Cam- Chief Justice, in the reign of 



bridge on May 15th, 1860, on 'The Henry VIII. 



