edition, page 285), in which the lapse of time implied by the denudation of
the Weald is discussed. The discussion closes with the sentence: "So that
it is not improbable that a longer period than 300 million years has
elapsed since the latter part of the Secondary period." This passage is
omitted in the later editions of the 'Origin,' against the advice of some
of his friends, as appears from the pencil notes in my father's copy of the
second edition.) of years (not that I think it is probably wrong), and my
not having (by inadvertance) mentioned Wallace towards the close of the
book in the summary, not that any one has noticed this to me. I have now
put in Wallace's name at page 484 in a conspicuous place. I cannot refer
you to tables of mortality of children, etc. etc. I have notes somewhere,
but I have not the LEAST idea where to hunt, and my notes would now be old.
I shall be truly glad to read carefully any MS. on man, and give my
opinion. You used to caution me to be cautious about man. I suspect I
shall have to return the caution a hundred fold! Yours will, no doubt, be
a grand discussion; but it will horrify the world at first more than my
whole volume; although by the sentence (page 489, new edition (First
edition, page 488.)) I show that I believe man is in the same predicament
with other animals. It is, in fact, impossible to doubt it. I have
thought (only vaguely) on man. With respect to the races, one of my best
chances of truth has broken down from the impossibility of getting facts.
I have one good speculative line, but a man must have entire credence in
Natural Selection before he will even listen to it. Psychologically, I
have done scarcely anything. Unless, indeed, expression of countenance can
be included, and on that subject I have collected a good many facts, and
speculated, but I do not suppose I shall ever publish, but it is an
uncommonly curious subject. By the way, I sent off a lot of questions the
day before yesterday to Tierra del Fuego on expression! I suspect (for I
have never read it) that Spencer's 'Psychology' has a bearing on Psychology
as we should look at it. By all means read the Preface, in about 20 pages,