controversies raging in the Athenaeum and Times; in each of these
cases I saw it assumed that the defeated party, when proved to have
publicly misrepresented his adversary, should do his best to correct
in public the injury which he had publicly inflicted, but I noticed
that in none of them had the beaten side any especial reputation for
candour. This probably made all the difference. But however this
may be, Mr. Darwin left me in possession of the field, in the hope,
doubtless, that the matter would blow over--which it apparently soon
did. Whether it has done so in reality or no, is a matter which
remains to be seen. My own belief is that people paid no attention
to what I said, as believing it simply incredible, and that when they
come to know that it is true, they will think as I do concerning it.

From ladies and gentlemen of science I admit that I have no
expectations. There is no conduct so dishonourable that people will
not deny it or explain it away, if it has been committed by one whom
they recognise as of their own persuasion. It must be remembered
that facts cannot be respected by the scientist in the same way as by
other people. It is his business to familiarise himself with facts,
and, as we all know, the path from familiarity to contempt is an easy
one.

Here, then, I take leave of this matter for the present. If it
appears that I have used language such as is rarely seen in
controversy, let the reader remember that the occasion is, so far as
I know, unparalleled for the cynicism and audacity with which the
wrong complained of was committed and persisted in. I trust,
however, that, though not indifferent to this, my indignation has
been mainly roused, as when I wrote "Evolution, Old and New," before
Mr. Darwin had given me personal ground of complaint against him, by