My dear Father,

I daresay you remember that just before I started Haughton of Dublin sent me a paper in wh. he professed to give some estimate of geological time.¹ I have just been reading it & have come to the conclusion that it is utter rubbish, & am doubting whether it is worth while to show it up as it deserves to be.— If someone who understands this sort of thing does not write against it is very likely to be accepted as gospel by the geologists & that w^d. be a great pity. On the other hand if I do write I’m pretty sure to get in Haughton’s ill favour because however civilly I may word it a man can’t like to have his work torn to shreds & I don’t think I c^d. criticize without utterly demolishing it. Then again it w^d. be rather a bore to go in for it as it w^d. take a week or so’s work.

I want to know whether you can give me any advice as to whether you think I’d better write a short note on the subject,— also w^d it be more civil if I do, to write first to him & thank him for the copy of his paper & say that I don’t agree with it & intend to give him an opportunity of seeing my objections—²

I write my diary letter on another sheet³

Yours affec | G H Darwin