[page] 207

In reply, Darwin writes on December 10:—

I agree entirely with all your reservations about accepting the doctrine, and you might have gone further with perfect safety and truth. . . . Touching the Natural History Review, "Do inaugurate a great improvement, and have pages cut, like the Yankees do; I will heap blessings on your head."

And again, December 18:—

I have read Nos. IV. and V. They are simply perfect. They ought to be largely advertised; but it is very good in me to say so, for I threw down No. IV. with this reflection, "What is the good of my writing a thundering big book, when everything is in this green little book so despicable for its size?" In the name of all that is good and bad I may as well shut up shop altogether.

[page] 365

A few of his generous words may be quoted to show the rate at which he valued his friend's championship.

What a wonderful man you are to grapple with those old metaphysico-divinity books. . . . The pendulum is now swinging against our side, but I feel positive it will soon swing the other way; and no mortal man will do half as much as you in giving it a start in the right direction, as you did at the first commencement.

And again, after "mounting climax on climax," he continues:— "I must tell you what Hooker said to me a few years ago. 'When I read Huxley, I feel quite infantile in intellect.'"

[page] 381

When the book was sent to Darwin, he wrote back (November 12, 1875):—

My dear Huxley—Many thanks for your biology, which I have read. It was a real stroke of genius to think of such a plan. Lord, how I wish that I had gone through such a course.—Ever yours,

C. Darwin.

[vol. 2] [page] 38

Darwin was in correspondence with him till quite near the end; having received the volume Science and Culture, he wrote on January 12, 1882:—

With respect to automatism, I wish that you could review yourself in the old, and, of course, forgotten, trenchant style, and then you would have [to] answer yourself with equal incisiveness; and thus, by Jove, you might go on ad infinitum to the joy and instruction of the world.

And again on March 27:—

Your most kind letter has been a real cordial to me. . . . Once again accept my cordial thanks, my dear old friend. I wish to God there were more automata in the world like you.