thousand dollars; and I am authorized to get plans and estimates complete, and I suppose it will be done, though I have no positive assurance of it yet. I thought you would like to know it, without waiting till all is absolutely settled.
Here is a second sheet filled: thick paper, too, and I must cut all short. How I wish we could be with you in Switzerland next summer!
Ever yours affectionately,
Asa Gray.
TO CHARLES DARWIN.
March 10, 1871.
My dear Darwin,—It is very good of you to send me, and so kindly address, a copy of your new book,[88] which safely reached me two days ago. I have not yet had time to read any of it, except the preface and the ending; and I do not like to dip into it and so blunt the edge of curiosity. So I keep it well out of sight, not caring to look just yet at any of the pages which you think likely to “aggravate” me, until some day I can get a good pull at it....
April 14, 1871.
You have such a way of putting things, and you write in such a captivating way. One can only say:—
Almost thou persuadest me to have been “a hairy quadruped, of arboreal habits, furnished with a tail and pointed ears,” etc.
But I have read only the first part of the book and the closing chapters; have left all the Sexual Selection till I can read it leisurely next summer, and have lent it to a judicious friend, who has just returned it.