Give my kind regards to her and all your family.--Very truly yours, ALFRED R. WALLACE. * * * * * _Down, Bromley, Kent, S.E. February 2, 1869._ My dear Wallace,--I must have expressed myself atrociously; I meant to say exactly the reverse of what you have understood. F. Jenkin argued in the _North British Review_[76] against single variations ever being perpetuated, and has convinced me, though not in quite so broad a manner as here put. I always thought individual differences more important, but I was blind and thought that single variations might be preserved much oftener than I now see is possible or probable. I mentioned this in my former note merely because I believed that you had come to similar conclusions, and I like much to be in accord with you. I believe I was mainly deceived by single variations offering such simple illustrations, as when man selects. We heartily congratulate you on the birth of your little daughter.--Yours very sincerely, C. DARWIN. * * * * * _Down, Bromley, Kent, S.E. March 5, 1869._ My dear Wallace,--I was delighted at receiving your book[77] this morning. The whole appearance and the illustrations with which it [is] so profusely ornamented are quite beautiful. Blessings on you and your publisher for having the pages cut and gilded. As for the dedication, putting quite aside how far I deserve what you say, it seems to me decidedly the best expressed dedication which I have ever met. The reading will probably last me a month, for I dare not have it read aloud, as I know that it will set me thinking. I see that many points will interest me greatly. When I have finished, if I have anything particular to say, I will write again. Accept my cordial thanks. The dedication is a thing for my children's children to be proud of.--Yours most sincerely, CH. DARWIN. * * * * * _9 St. Mark's Crescent, N.W. March 10, 1869._ Dear Darwin,--Thanks for your kind note. I could not persuade Mr. Macmillan to cut more than twenty-five copies for my own friends, and he even seemed to think this a sign of most strange and barbarous taste.