so happens that those persons who are practically conversant with the facts
of the case (plainly a considerable advantage) have always thought fit to
range themselves" in the category of those holding "views which profess to
rest on a scientific basis only, and therefore admit of being argued to
their consequences.") Who can it be? Certainly I should have said that
there was only one man in England who could have written this essay, and
that YOU were the man. But I suppose I am wrong, and that there is some
hidden genius of great calibre. For how could you influence Jupiter
Olympius and make him give three and a half columns to pure science? The
old fogies will think the world will come to an end. Well, whoever the man
is, he has done great service to the cause, far more than by a dozen
reviews in common periodicals. The grand way he soars above common
religious prejudices, and the admission of such views into the "Times", I
look at as of the highest importance, quite independently of the mere
question of species. If you should happen to be ACQUAINTED with the
author, for Heaven-sake tell me who he is?

My dear Huxley, yours most sincerely,
C. DARWIN.


[It is impossible to give in a short space an adequate idea of Mr. Huxley's
article in the "Times" of December 26. It is admirably planned, so as to
claim for the 'Origin' a respectful hearing, and it abstains from anything
like dogmatism in asserting the truth of the doctrines therein upheld. A
few passages may be quoted:--"That this most ingenious hypothesis enables
us to give a reason for many apparent anomalies in the distribution of
living beings in time and space, and that it is not contradicted by the
main phenomena of life and organisation, appear to us to be
unquestionable." Mr. Huxley goes on to recommend to the readers of the