WCP2832

[1]¹

ROYAL GARDENS KEW

DIRECTOR

Kew. Dec. 22. 03.

Dear Mr Wallace,

I thank you sincerely for your kind letter.² You will easily believe that I am more than gratified at your approval of the article. It was written under very great pressure. I undertook it partly because I understood that it was the suggestion of F. Darwin³ and yourself that I should do so; partly because I wanted shake a blow for natural selection as against the veiled Lamarckian which is all the fashion.

My difficulty was that I found [2] myself [illeg.] into writing a book. I am painfully aware therefore that the end of the article is not satisfactory, even from my point of view.

As the artificial selection of man I am disposed to entirely agree with you[.]

My position as to the other points you draw my attention to would require more reconsideration than I can possibly give at present. I reproach myself for want of ease in having incorrectly stated your views. I tried my [3] best to write in a perfectly judicial spirit. I am deeply grateful to you for the kind pains you have taken to set me right.

I have been several times asked to [illeg.] the article. I may some day do this and collect some other scattered papers. If I do, I shall ask your permission to make free use of your letter.

Believe me | yours very truly | W. T. Thiselton-Dyer⁴ [signature]