your grand and noble work on Geographical Distribution. Should you be
induced to read my volume, I venture to remark that it will be intelligible
only by reading the whole straight through, as it is very much condensed.
It would be a high gratification to me if any portion interested you. But
I am perfectly well aware that you will entirely disagree with the
conclusion at which I have arrived.

You will probably have quite forgotten me; but many years ago you did me
the honour of dining at my house in London to meet M. and Madame Sismondi
(Jessie Allen, sister of Mrs. Josiah Wedgwood of Maer.), the uncle and aunt
of my wife. With sincere respect, I beg to remain,

Yours, very faithfully,
CHARLES DARWIN.


CHARLES DARWIN TO HUGH FALCONER.
Down, November 11th [1859].

My dear Falconer,

I have told Murray to send you a copy of my book on the 'Origin of
Species,' which as yet is only an abstract.

If you read it, you must read it straight through, otherwise from its
extremely condensed state it will be unintelligible.

Lord, how savage you will be, if you read it, and how you will long to
crucify me alive! I fear it will produce no other effect on you; but if it
should stagger you in ever so slight a degree, in this case, I am fully