My dear old Friend

I feel much difficulty in deciding what to advise about answering Owen; & I very much doubt whether my advice on any such point is worth much. In the first place, Owen’s recent letter is so obscurely expressed that only a few persons will try to understand it (my wife failed to do so) & no one can fully understand it, without having the Blue Book at his elbow, which I have not.—.—¹ Again all those, whose opinion you most value, know that Owen cannot in the least be relied on, when he gives a reference, or even when he quotes a passage, as he will alter it.— All this goes to show that an answer on your part is not necessary, & the less controversy the better in every case. On the other hand if you can briefly show that you have not intentionally or in an unjustifiable manner hurt the feelings of the officers of the B. Museum, I am inclined to think a brief answer would be adviseable.² You might commence by stating that you had already showed the falseness of many of his former assertions & that most of his present remarks were not worthy of an answer.— What rubbish about Welwitschia!³ I wish I knew the date of the Prodromus N. Hollandiæ.—⁴ I differ from your friends in thinking decidedly that if you answer it ought to be in “Nature”. It w^d be beneath you to show that you were huffed at a paper; & Nature did publish the Memorial of the Scientific Men.—⁵ This is all that I can say, & it is hardly worth saying. I grieve deeply that you sh^d. thus be bothered by so odious a blackguard as Owen.—⁶

With respect to the “Artizan’s Dewellings Co^y Limited,” I know nothing except from their own printed statements & the kind of men who have supported it.—⁷ They make too much use by a great deal of the names of those who have subscribed; but the object seems to me excellent.— I have looked at it from the first as lost money as far investment is concerned.—

Very many thanks about Dionæa.— My plants look sickly.— I have kept them too warm. I have, however, got some good out of them, & I must try & get at any price some older specimens next spring.— You have not yet told me what I owe you for the four plants.⁸

My dear old friend | Yours affectionately | Ch. Darwin