My dear Häckel

I have now read yr History of Creation, and am not surprised at its great success.¹ I have been much struck with many of your brilliant & original remarks; but from having read several parts in the original German Edition, there was not much quite new to me.² You will perhaps be surprised to hear, that the part which I liked best is your history in the earlier chapters. The way in which you speak of my books gratifies me deeply; but it is indeed much too strong, and I fear that critics will attack you for what you have said.³

The amount of knowledge which you possess, as shown from the beginning to the end of your Book, & the number of your original investigations, is really wonderful.

Believe me my dear Häckel | Yours gratefully | Charles Darwin

PS. I have read a great deal of yr Essay on the developement of ova & though much too ignorant to form any judgement, I can see how important the essay is, & I hope that you are right, for if so you will have removed some great difficulties.⁴

Do not forget to send me yr paper on the Coral from the Red Sea.⁵