LETTER 11. 



Keculer pour mieux sauter." — Fkench Peoterb. 



March U.ISdL 



My Dear Sons, 



1. In propounding a new theory, it will often go a 

 long way towards securing for it a more patient hear- 

 ing, and for the proofs offered in support of it a more 

 candid consideration, and in the end for the theory 

 itself a more cordial reception, if, in the first instance, 

 the theory to which it stands opposed be shewn to be 

 unsatisfactory. This course I purpose taking with 

 what may at present seem to you my strange theory 

 of trees. Before going further into this theory, with- 

 out at present even seeking more fully to unfold it, 

 and still less to prove it, I shall assume that the notion 

 commonly held as to the nature of trees is the right 

 one, and, on this footing, proceed to inquire what is 

 known in regard to the natural longevity and the 

 natural size of this class of objects. The general 

 result of this inquiry you may already anticipate. 

 From the remarks just now made, as well as from 



