CHAPTER 1.16.

1860-1861.

[The letters given in the following chapters illustrate the occupations
and interests of the years 1860 to 1863, apart from the struggle over
the species question.

One of the most important and most engrossing was the launching of a
scientific quarterly to do more systematically and thoroughly what had
been done since 1858 in the fortnightly scientific column of the
"Saturday Review." Its genesis is explained in the following letter:--]

July 17, 1860.

My dear Hooker,

Some time ago Dr. Wright of Dublin talked to me about the "Natural
History Review," which I believe to a great extent belongs to him, and
wanted me to join in the editorship, provided certain alterations were
made. I promised to consider the matter, and yesterday he and Greene
dined with me, and I learned that Haughton and Galbraith were out of the
review--that Harvey was likely to go--that a new series was to begin in
January, with Williams and Norgate for publishers over here--that it was
to become an English and not a Hibernian concern in fact--and finally,
that if I chose to join as one of the editors, the effectual control
would be pretty much in my own hands. Now, considering the state of the
times, and the low condition of natural history journalisation (always
excepting quarterly "Mic. Journal") in this country this seems to me to
be a fine opening for a plastically minded young man, and I am decidedly