My dear George,

When I first read your note I thought that you had better not answer & criticise Haughton, as not worth the time; leading to controversy & exciting his ill-will.—² But I read your note to Hooker, who is here,³ & he thought strongly that you had better expose, as courteously as possible, the error. Otherwise, as he says, Haughtons views will be quoted for the next 20 years as authoritative. I am inclined to think he is right,—that is if it will not waste too much of your time. I have always acted on the principle of publishing what I believe to be the truth, without contradicting others, thus letting opposed statements fight for existence.— But the case is different, no doubt, with mathematics about which only a few can judge.—

I am very sorry to hear so poor an account of you.⁴ Hooker & Norman Moore have been extremely pleasant & Lady Hooker⁵ is very nice. Litchfield is going on well, but looks terribly wan.⁶ I have 2 long letters to write, so no more.

Yours affect | C. Darwin