My dear Mr. Darwin,—Many thanks for your most interesting book on the Orchids. I have read it through most [pg 144]attentively, and have really been quite as much staggered by the wonderful adaptations you show to exist in them as by the Eye in animals or any other complicated organs. I long to get into the country and have a look at some orchids guided by your new lights, but I have been now for ten days confined to my room with what is disagreeable though far from dangerous—boils.
I have been reading several of the Reviews on the "Origin," and it seems to me that you have assisted those who want to criticise you by your overstating the difficulties and objections. Several of them quote your own words as the strongest arguments against you.
I think you told me Owen wrote the article in the Quarterly. This seems to me hardly credible, as he speaks so much of Owen, quotes him as such a great authority, and I believe even calls him a profound philosopher, etc. etc. Would Owen thus speak of himself?
Trusting your health is good, I remain, my dear Mr. Darwin, yours very faithfully,
ALFRED R. WALLACE.
Down, Bromley, Kent, S.E. May 24, 1862.
My dear Mr. Wallace,—I write one line to thank you for your note and to say that the Bishop of Oxford[35] wrote the Quarterly Review (paid £60), aided by Owen. In the Edinburgh Owen no doubt praised himself. Mr. Maw's Review in the Zoologist is one of the best, and staggered me in parts, for I did not see the sophistry of parts. I could lend you any which you might wish to see; but you would soon be tired. Hopkins and Pictet in France are two of the best.
I am glad you approve of my little Orchid book; but it has not been worth, I fear, the ten months it has cost me: it was a hobby-horse, and so beguiled me.
I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from boils; I [pg 145]have often had fearful crops: I hope that the doctors are right in saying that they are serviceable.