374 SPREAD OF EVOLUTION. [l86l. 



pigeon has not varied because the goose has not, though more 

 anciently domesticated, and no good reason can be assigned 

 why it has not produced many varieties 



I never knew the newspapers so profoundly interesting. 

 North America does not do England justice ; I have not 

 seen or heard of a soul who is not with the North. Some 

 few, and I am one of them, even wish to God, though at the 

 loss of millions of lives, that the North would proclaim a 

 crusade against slavery. In the long-run, a million horrid 

 deaths would be amply repaid in the cause of humanity- 

 What wonderful times we live in ! Massachusetts seems to 

 show noble enthusiasm. Great God ! how I should like to 

 see the greatest curse on earth slavery abolished ! 



Farewell. Hooker has been absorbed with poor dear 

 revered Henslow's affairs. Farewell. 



Ever yours, 



C. DARWIN.. 



Hiigh Falconer to C. Darwin. 



31 Sackville St., W., June 23, 1861. 



MY DEAR DARWIN. I have been to Adelsberg cave and! 

 brought back with me a live Proteus anguinus, designed for 

 you from the moment I got it ; i.e. if you have got an 

 aquarium and would care to have it. I only returned last 

 night from the Continent, and hearing from your brother that 

 you are about to go to Torquay, I lose no time in making 

 you the offer. The poor dear animal is still alive although 

 it has had no appreciable means of sustenance for a month 

 and I am most anxious to get rid of the responsibility of 

 starving it longer. In your hands it will thrive and have a 

 fair chance of being developed without delay into some type 

 of the Columbidae say a Pouter or a Tumbler. 



My dear Darwin, I have been rambling through the north, 

 of Italy, and Germany lately. Everywhere have I heard 

 your views and your admirable essay canvassed the views of 



