My dear Sir

I have told Murray to send you by Post (if possible) a copy of my Book & I hope that you will receive it at nearly same time with this note.¹ (N.B I have got a bad finger which makes me write extra badly—) If you are so inclined, I sh^d. very much like to hear your general impression of the Book as you have thought so profoundly on subject & in so nearly same channel with myself. I hope there will be some little new to you, but I fear not much. Remember it is only an abstract & very much condensed. God knows what the public will think. No one has read it, except Lyell, with whom I have had much correspondence. Hooker thinks him a complete convert; but he does not seem so in his letters to me; but he is evidently deeply interested in subject.—² I do not think your share in the theory will be overlooked by the real judges as Hooker Lyell, Asa Gray &c.—

I have heard from M^r Sclater that your paper on Malay Arch. has been read at Linn. Soc, & that he was extremely much interested by it.³

I have not seen one naturalist for 6 or 9 months owing to the state of my health, & therefore I really have no news to tell you.— I am writing this at Ilkley Wells, where I have been with my family for the last six weeks & shall stay for some few weeks longer. As yet I have profited very little. God knows when I shall have strength for my bigger book.—

I sincerely hope that you keep your health; I suppose that you will be thinking of returning soon with your magnificent collection & still grander mental materials. You will be puzzled how to publish. The Royal Soc. fund will be worth your consideration.⁴

With every good wish, pray believe me, | Yours very sincerely | Charles Darwin

I think that I told you before that Hooker is a complete convert. If I can convert Huxley I shall be content.—