My dear Lyell,

You seemed to have worked admirably on the species question; there could
not have been a better plan than reading up on the opposite side. I
rejoice profoundly that you intend admitting the doctrine of modification
in your new edition (It appears from Sir Charles Lyell's published letters
that he intended to admit the doctrine of evolution in a new edition of the
'Manual,' but this was not published till 1865. He was, however, at work
on the 'Antiquity of Man' in 1860, and had already determined to discuss
the 'Origin' at the end of the book.); nothing, I am convinced, could be
more important for its success. I honour you most sincerely. To have
maintained in the position of a master, one side of a question for thirty
years, and then deliberately give it up, is a fact to which I much doubt
whether the records of science offer a parallel. For myself, also, I
rejoice profoundly; for, thinking of so many cases of men pursuing an
illusion for years, often and often a cold shudder has run through me, and
I have asked myself whether I may not have devoted my life to a phantasy.
Now I look at it as morally impossible that investigators of truth, like
you and Hooker, can be wholly wrong, and therefore I rest in peace. Thank
you for criticisms, which, if there be a second edition, I will attend to.
I have been thinking that if I am much execrated as an atheist, etc.,
whether the admission of the doctrine of natural selection could injure
your works; but I hope and think not, for as far as I can remember, the
virulence of bigotry is expended on the first offender, and those who adopt
his views are only pitied as deluded, by the wise and cheerful bigots.

I cannot help thinking that you overrate the importance of the multiple
origin of dogs. The only difference is, that in the case of single
origins, all difference of the races has originated since man domesticated