To J. D. Hooker   [26 May 1859]

Moor Park

Thursday

My dear Hooker

I write one word to say that I shall return on Saturday,1 & if you have any proof-sheets to send I shall be glad to do my best in any criticisms.—2 I had bad vomiting before starting & great prostration of mind & body; but entire rest & the douche & Adam Bede have together done me a world of good—3

Have you seen the last Vol. of Cybele:4 I have read a portion with great interest.—5

Ever yours | C. Darwin

1
CD returned to Down on Saturday, 28 May 1859 (‘Journal’; Appendix II).
2
CD refers to proof-sheets of Hooker 1859.
3
Eliot 1859. CD recorded Adam Bede along with other novels in his reading notebook in July 1859 (Correspondence vol. 4, Appendix IV, 128: 25). He considered it ‘excellent’.
4
An advance copy of the fourth volume of Watson 1847–59, which was published in July 1859 (Publishers’ Circular, 16 July 1859, p. 336). See also letter from H. C. Watson, 3 January 1858. CD’s annotated copy, inscribed by Hewett Cottrell Watson, is in the Darwin Library–CUL.
5
In the second chapter, Watson discussed his own belief in the transmutation of species (Watson 1847–59, 4: 52–64). At the end of the volume, Watson mentioned CD’s work on ‘the mode in which varieties may supplant their ancestral species’, a reference to Darwin and Wallace 1858, and stated that he might have changed some of his comments had CD published earlier (Watson 1847–59,4: 524–5). Pinned to the end-paper of CD’s copy of volume four is a note by CD that evidently formed the basis of a letter to Watson that has not been found. The note reads: Forbes I quite agree Alpine & several of glacial sea-shells only good points.— You always write with such vigour & spirit that I am carried along with you even dryest parts.—‘ie. [illeg]’ Reconvertibility Value of Groups, very good; I was so glad to see you praise Benthams paper [Bentham 1857].— p. 62 curious coincidence in idea with what I have written I am glad you praise Alph. D. C. CD refers to Watson 1847–59, 4: 7–9, 20, 27, 62, 524.

Manuscript Alterations and Comments

2.1 Cybele:] before omitted point

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-2464,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-2464