convinced that you will become, year after year, less fixed in your belief
in the immutability of species. With this audacious and presumptuous
conviction,

I remain, my dear Falconer,
Yours most truly,
CHARLES DARWIN.


CHARLES DARWIN TO ASA GRAY.
Down, November 11th [1859].

My dear Gray,

I have directed a copy of my book (as yet only an abstract) on the 'Origin
of Species' to be sent you. I know how you are pressed for time; but if
you can read it, I shall be infinitely gratified...If ever you do read it,
and can screw out time to send me (as I value your opinion so highly),
however short a note, telling me what you think its weakest and best parts,
I should be extremely grateful. As you are not a geologist, you will
excuse my conceit in telling you that Lyell highly approves of the two
Geological chapters, and thinks that on the Imperfection of the Geological
Record not exaggerated. He is nearly a convert to my views...

Let me add I fully admit that there are very many difficulties not
satisfactorily explained by my theory of descent with modification, but I
cannot possibly believe that a false theory would explain so many classes
of facts as I think it certainly does explain. On these grounds I drop my
anchor, and believe that the difficulties will slowly disappear...