My dear Sir

I send by this Post, a pamphlet by Prof. Asa Gray on my “Origin,” which several good judge think very well written.² Although the author praises me he does not fully concur, & I have thought that you might possibly like to look at it. Could you get it noticed, in 2 or 3 lines, in any Nat. Hist. periodical in Edinburgh?³ I sh^d. be very glad to have it a little known for Prof. A. Gray’s sake, as well as my own.— I hope this request is not very indelicate; I am far from meaning that I want to see it praised, only just noticed. It is quite likely that you have not the power, even if you were willing to do so.—

I have just finished a corrected Edit. of the Origin, with some additions, I have told my publisher, when it is bound, to send you a copy.— I mention this because, if you looked at the altered parts, you will not find much alteration in the parts; which you attacked.⁴ To the best of my judgment (however erroneous that may be) these parts did not seem to me to require correction. And if you were to notice these parts, you might think that I sent a copy to you out of Bravado, which I assure you is not the case, & would be vile taste on my part to you, who have attacked me with the candour & chivalry of a Knight of old.—

My “corrections” remind me that I heard too late from a M^r — M^r Crotch who has lately been in Berlin, that he saw the Anophthalmus Raymondi which had been taken in the cellars of a very ancient deserted monastery, near Toulon. I wish I knew whether the account has been published; it is very curious if true.⁵

Pray believe me | My dear Sir | Yours sincerely | C. Darwin

Nothing in this note need give you the trouble of answering it.—