Dear Wallace,-- ...I am reading your new book,[10] of which you kindly sent me a copy, with very great pleasure. Nothing equal to it has come out since Darwin's "Voyage of the _Beagle_." ... The history of the Mias is very well done. I am not yet through the first volume, but my wife is deep in the second and much taken with it. It is so rare to be able to depend on the scientific knowledge and accuracy of those who have so much of the wonderful to relate....--Believe me ever most truly yours, CHA. LYELL. * * * * * CANON KINGSLEY TO A.R. WALLACE _Eversley Rectory, Winchfield. May 5, 1869._ My dear Sir,--I am reading--or rather have all but read--your new book,[10] with a delight which I cannot find words to express save those which are commonplace superlatives. Let me felicitate you on having, at last, added to the knowledge of our planet a chapter which has not its equal (as far as I can recollect) since our friend Darwin's "Voyage of the _Beagle_." Let me, too, compliment you on the modesty and generosity which you have shown, in dedicating your book to Darwin, and speaking of him and his work as you have done. Would that a like unselfish chivalry were more common--I do not say amongst scientific men, for they have it in great abundance, but--in the rest of the community. May I ask--as a very great favour--to be allowed to call on you some day in London, and to see your insects? I and my daughter are soon, I hope, going to the West Indies, for plants and insects, among other things; and the young lady might learn much of typical forms from one glance at your treasures. I send this letter by our friend Bates--being ignorant of your address.--Believe me, my dear Sir, ever yours faithfully, C. KINGSLEY. * * * * * TO MISS A. BUCKLEY[11] _Holly House, Barking, E. February 2, 1871._ Dear Miss Buckley,--I have read Darwin's first volume,[12] and like it very much. It is overwhelming as proving the origin of man from some lower form, but that, I rather think, hardly anyone doubts now. He is very weak, as yet, on my objection about the "hair," but promises a better solution in the second volume. Have you seen Mivart's book, "Genesis of Species"? It is exceedingly clever, and well worth reading. The arguments against Natural Selection as the exclusive mode of development are some of them exceedingly strong, and very well put, and it is altogether a most readable and interesting book. Though he uses some weak and bad arguments, and underrates the power of Natural Selection, yet I think I agree with his conclusion in the main, and am inclined to think it is more philosophical than my own. It is a book that I think will please Sir Charles Lyell.--Believe me, yours very truly, ALFRED R. WALLACE. * * * * * TO MISS A. BUCKLEY _Holly House, Barking, E. March 3, 1871._