WCP5629

[1] [p. 65]

HERBERT SPENCER to A. R. WALLACE

64 Avenue Road, Regent's Park, London, N.W.

September 28, 1895.

Dear Mr. Wallace,—

As I cannot get you to deal with Lord Salisbury I have decided to do it myself, having been finally exasperated into doing it by this honour paid to his address in France — the presentation of a translation to the French Academy. The impression produced upon some millions of people in England cannot be allowed to be this further confirmed without protest.

One of the points which I propose to take up is the absurd conception Lord Salisbury sets forth of the process of Natural Selection. When you wrong you said you had dealt with it yourself in your volume on Darwinism. I have no doubt that it is also in some measure dealt with by Darwin himself, by implication or incidentally. You of course know Darwin by heart, and perhaps you would be kind enough to save me the trouble of searching by indicating the relevant passages both in his books and in your own. My reading power is very small, and it tries me to find the parts I want by much reading.

Truly yours,

HERBERT SPENCER.