To F. J. Pictet de la Rive   24 December [1859]

Dear Sir

I am very much obliged for your kind note of the 17^th.— M^essrs. Williams & Norgate sent the copy of my Book through their Leipzig House, & they inform me that you will receive it in the beginning of next month.—¹ If it does not arrive, if you will take the trouble to inform me, I will most gladly send another copy. Although I have not the presumption to hope to change your opinions, yet nothing would give me so much satisfaction as to know that on the whole you thought favourably of my work.² The objections & difficulties are of very gravest nature; & I rest my conviction solely on the fact, as it seems to me, that the theory explains large classes of facts otherwise inexplicable.— I hope that you will try to suspend your verdict till you have read the whole. I am now going at once to commence getting ready for press my larger Book, as quickly as my weak health permits. My Book has been successful here & I am now reprinting a second large Edition. It has made a few important converts, namely Lyell,—Hooker ourbest Botanist,—Huxley, an admirable zoologist—& Carpenter a learned physiologist.— I mention these facts in, I fear, a boastful spirit, in the hope of inducing you to read my little work with attention.³

With apologies for troubling you with these particulars, I beg leave to remain with most sincere respect, | Your faithful & obliged servant | Charles Darwin