My dear Hooker

I return Harvey’s letter: I have been very glad to see the reason why he has not read your Essay;² I feared it was bigotry. And I am glad to see that he goes a little way (very much further than I supposed) with us on Nat. Selection.—   I was not sorry for a natural opportunity of writing just to show that I was not piqued at his turning me & my book into ridicule,—not that I think it was proceeding which I deserved or worthy of him.—³

It delights me that you are interested in watching progress of opinion on change of species; I feared that you were weary of subject; & therefore did not send A. Gray’s letters. The battle rages furiously in U. States. Gray says he was preparing a speech which would take 1$\frac{1}{2}$ hour to deliver, & which he “fondly hoped would be a stunner”. He is fighting splendidly & there seem to have been many discussions with Agassiz & others at the meetings. Agassiz pities me much at being so deluded.— As for progress of opinion, I clearly see that it will be excessively slow, almost as slow as change of species. In fact it will, I believe, be insensible. I am getting wearied at the storm of hostile Reviews; & hardly any useful.—

Did you see in Literary Gazette that Prof. Clarke of Cambridge says the chief characteristic of such Books as mine is “their consummate impudence”—mild & gentleman-like language!—⁴

I am in great doubt about Oxford;⁵—assuming that Etty, is then quite well (she is better today, but the weary fever drags on), my doubt being chiefly from my own health, whether it would answer.— I have written to ask whether I c^d. have rooms in a college.—⁶ If, however, everything is transcendantly well, my wife says she will go,—but all is dark yet.— I hope M^rs. Hooker goes on well—

Yours affect | C. D.—

Blyth writes from Calcutta that his ideas on species are quite revolutionised.—⁷