I am disgusted with my bad writing. I could not improve it, without rewriting all, which would not be fair or worth while, as I have begun on a better abstract for the Linnean Society. My excuse is that it NEVER was intended for publication. I have made only a few corrections in the style;but I cannot make it decent, but I hope moderately intelligible. I suppose some one will correct the revise. (Shall I?)Could I have a clean proof to send to Wallace?
I have not yet fully considered your remarks on big genera (but your general concurrence is of the HIGHEST POSSIBLE interest to me); nor shall Ibe able till I re-read my MS.; but you may rely on it that you never make a remark to me which is lost from INATTENTION. I am particularly glad you do not object to my stating your objections in a modified form, for they always struck me as very important, and as having much inherent value, whether or no they were fatal to my notions. I will consider and reconsider all your remarks...
I have ordered Bentham, for, as -- says, it will be very curious to see a Flora written by a man who knows nothing of British plants!!
I am very glad at what you say about my Abstract, but you may rely on it that I will condense to the utmost. I would aid in money if it is too long. (That is to say, he would help to pay for the printing, if it should prove too long for the Linnean Society.) In how many ways you have aided me!
Yours affectionately, C. DARWIN.
[The 'Abstract' mentioned in the last sentence of the preceding letter was in fact the 'Origin of Species,' on which he now set to work. In his 'Autobiography' he speaks of beginning to write in September, but in his Diary he wrote, "July 20 to August 12, at Sandown, began Abstract of Species book." "September 16, Recommenced Abstract." The book was begun with the idea that it would be published as a paper, or series of papers, by the Linnean Society, and it was only in the late autumn that it became clear that it must take the form of an independent volume.]
CHARLES DARWIN TO J.D. HOOKER.
Norfolk House, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, Friday [July] 30th [1858].
My dear Hooker, Will you give the enclosed scrap to Sir William to thank him for his kindness; and this gives me an excuse to amuse myself by writing to you a note, which requires no answer.
This is a very charming place, and we have got a very comfortable house.
But, alas, I cannot say that the sea has done H. or L. much good. Nor has my stomach recovered from all our troubles. I am very glad we left home, for six children have now died of scarlet fever in Down. We return on the 14th of August.
I have got Bentham ('British Flora.'), and am charmed with it, and William (who has just started for a tour abroad) has been ****** out all sorts of new (to me) plants capitally. The little scraps of information are so capital...The English names in the analytical keys drive us mad: give them by all means, but why on earth [not] make them subordinate to the Latin; it puts me in a passion. W. charged into the Compositae and Umbelliferae like a hero, and demolished ever so many in grand style.
I pass my time by doing daily a couple of hours of my Abstract, and I find it amusing and improving work. I am now most heartily obliged to you and Lyell for having set me on this; for I shall, when it is done, be able to finish my work with greater ease and leisure. I confess I hated the thought of the job; and now I find it very unsatisfactory in not being able to give my reasons for each conclusion.
I will be longer than I expected; it will take thirty-five of my MS. folio pages to give an abstract on variation under domestication alone; but Iwill try to put in nothing which does not seem to me of some interest, and which was once new to me. It seems a queer plan to give an abstract of an unpublished work; nevertheless, I repeat, I am extremely glad I have begun in earnest on it.
I hope you and Mrs. Hooker will have a very very pleasant tour. Farewell, my dear Hooker.
Yours affectionately, C. DARWIN.
CHARLES DARWIN TO J.D. HOOKER.
Norfolk House, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, Thursday [August 5, 1858].
My dear Hooker, I should think the note apologetical about the style of the abstract was best as a note...But I write now to ask you to send me by return of post the MS. on big genera, that I may make an abstract of a couple of pages in length. I presume that you have quite done with it, otherwise I would not for anything have it back. If you tie it with string, and mark it MS. for printing, it will not cost, I should think, more than 4 pence. I shall wish much to say that you have read this MS. and concur; but you shall, before I read it to the Society, hear the sentence.
What you tell me after speaking with Busk about the length of the Abstract is an IMMENSE relief to me; it will make the labour far less, not having to shorten so much every single subject; but I will try not to be too diffusive. I fear it will spoil all interest in my book (The larger book begun in 1856.), whenever published. The Abstract will do very well to divide into several parts: thus I have just finished "Variation under Domestication," in forty-four MS. pages, and that would do for one evening;but I should be extremely sorry if all could not be published together.
What else you say about my Abstract pleases me highly, but frightens me, for I fear I shall never be able to make it good enough. But how I do run on about my own affairs to you!
I was astonished to see Sir W. Hooker's card here two or three days ago: Iwas unfortunately out walking. Henslow, also, has written to me, proposing to come to Down on the 9th, but alas, I do not return till the 13th, and my wife not till a week later; so that I am also most sorry to think I shall not see you, for I should not like to leave home so soon. I had thought of going to London and running down for an hour or two to Kew...
CHARLES DARWIN TO J.D. HOOKER.
Norfolk House, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, [August] [1858].