C. DARWIN.

How grandly the public has taken up Hooker’s case.

* * * * *

Down.  August 3, [1872].

My dear Wallace,—­I hate controversy, chiefly perhaps because I do it badly; but as Dr. Bree accuses you of “blundering,” I have thought myself bound to send the enclosed letter[91] to Nature, that is, if you in the least desire it.  In this case please post it.  If you do not at all wish it, I should rather prefer not sending it, and in this case please tear it up.  And I beg you to do the same, if you intend answering Dr. Bree yourself, as you will do it incomparably better than I should.  Also please tear it up if you don’t like the letter.—­My dear Wallace, yours very sincerely,

CH.  DARWIN.

* * * * *

The Dell, Grays, Essex.  August 4, 1872.

Dear Darwin,—­I have sent your letter to Nature, as I think it will settle that question far better than anything I can say.  Many thanks for it.  I have not seen Dr. Bree’s letter yet, as I get Nature here very irregularly, but as I was very careful to mention none but real errors in Dr. Bree’s book, I do not imagine there will be any necessity for my taking any notice of it.  It was really entertaining to have such a book to review, the errors and misconceptions were so inexplicable and the self-sufficiency of the man so amazing.  Yet there is some excellent writing in the book, and to a half-informed person it has all the appearance of being a most valuable and authoritative work.

I am now reviewing a much more important book and one that, if I mistake not, will really compel you sooner or later to modify some of your views, though it will not at all affect the main doctrine of Natural Selection as applied to the higher animals.  I allude, of course, to Bastian’s “Beginnings of Life,” which you have no doubt got.  It is hard reading, but intensely interesting.  I am a thorough convert to his main results, and it seems to me that nothing more important has appeared since your “Origin.”  It is a pity he is so awfully voluminous and discursive.  When you have thoroughly digested it I shall be glad to know what you are disposed to think.  My first notice of it will I think appear in Nature next week, but I have been hurried for it, and it is not so well written an article as I could wish.

I sincerely hope your health is improving.—­Believe me yours very faithfully,

ALFRED R. WALLACE.

P.S.—­I fear Lubbock’s motion is being pushed off to the end of the Session, and Hooker’s case will not be fairly considered.  I hope the matter will not be allowed to drop.—­A.R.W.

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Down, Beckenham, Kent.  August 28, 1872.

My dear Wallace,—­I have at last finished the gigantic job of reading Dr. Bastian’s book, and have been deeply interested in it.  You wished to hear my impression, but it is not worth sending.