To Charles Lyell   4 November [1855]

My dear Lyell

I return by this Post the two pamphlets of Bachman for which I am very much obliged.¹ It is most useful to see what is said on all sides: though I am surprised, from what I remember of Bachman, that he did not do the thing better, & that he deals in assertions, which I do not believe he can substantiate by a single fact.— But as Fitton² once said of Whewell³ “one must make much allowance for him having sworn to what he believes in”.—

I hope you will be so kind as to remember how useful it is to me to see or hear of out-of-the way pamphlets of this nature.

I am deeply immersed on the subject of Pigeons, & have pairs of seven or eight kinds alive & am watching them outside & then shall skeletonise them & watch their insides. I have begun also to cultivate varieties of plants & make hybrids, so that I have entered on my subject in earnest.—

I hope Lady Lyell & yourself will remember whenever you want a little rest & have time how very glad we sh^d. be to see you here, & I will show you my pigeons! which is the greatest treat, in my opinion, which can be offered to human being.

Most truly your’s | C. Darwin

P.S. I have just seen J. Lubbock & I find that he sent Hooker’s New Zealand Flora with Wollaston.⁴ Will you be so kind as to take care of it, & let it be returned whenever Wollaston is done with, for which I am in no hurry.—