And on August 5th of the same year Darwin replied to Hooker, who had apparently argued that the origin of species by direct action of climate, etc., would mean independent and multiple specific centres:—
“I see from your remarks that you do not understand my notions (whether or no worth anything) about modification; I attribute very little to the direct action of climate, etc. I suppose, in regard to specific centres, we are at cross purposes; I should call the kitchen garden in which the red cabbage was produced, or the farm in which Bakewell made the Shorthorn cattle, the specific centre of these species! And surely this is centralisation enough!”
As I have argued above, Darwin was all the time affording the strongest support to the theory of specific centres: support which was entirely wanting in the theory of separate creation, in which the origin of each species is wrapped in mystery, so that we can form no opinion as to whether it took place at one centre or at many.
At this time, when the views set forth in the “Origin” were gaining shape and expression, we cannot estimate too highly the value of the correspondence with Hooker. In after years, when the “Origin” had to stand the fire of adverse criticism, and at first of very general disapproval, it was of inestimable advantage that every idea contained in it should have been minutely discussed beforehand with one who was more critical and more learned than the greatest of those who afterwards objected. Darwin tells us in his “Autobiography”:—
“I think that I can say with truth that in after years, though I cared in the highest degree for the approbation of such men as Lyell and Hooker, who were my friends, I did not care much about the general public.”
But, although Darwin cared nothing for it, it is nevertheless true that the approbation of minds such as these was a sure indication of the general approbation of the intellect of the country, and of the world, which was to follow as soon as the new ideas were absorbed.
VALUE OF THE DISCUSSION.
And the value which Darwin himself placed on these discussions appears again and again in his letters. To take a single example, he writes to Hooker November 23rd, 1856:—
“I fear I shall weary you with letters, but do not answer this, for in truth and without flattery, I so value your letters, that after a heavy batch, as of late, I feel that I have been extravagant and have drawn too much money, and shall therefore have to stint myself on another occasion.”