To A. R. Wallace   2 February [1869]¹

My dear Wallace

I must have expressed myself atrociously; I meant to say exactly the reverse of what you have understood.² F. Jenkins argued in N. Brit. R. against single variations ever being perpetuated & has convinced me, though not in quite so broad a manner as here put.—³ I always thought individual differences more important, but I was blind & 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 conclusion, & 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.—⁴ Yours very sincerely | C. Darwin