WCP5651

[1]¹

July 18^th2 [1858]³

King's Head Hotel

Sandown

Isle of Wight

My dear Lyell

I write merely to thank you for the abstract of the Etna paper⁴. It seems to me a very grand contribution to our volcanic knowledge. Certainly I never expected to see E. de B.⁵ theory of slopes so completely upset. He must have picked out favourable cases for measurement. And such an array of facts he gives! — You have scotched & will see die, I now think, the Crater of [2] Elevation Theory⁶. But what vitality there is in a plausible theory!

We are established here for ten days & then go on to Shanklin which seems more amusing to one, like myself, who cannot walk — We hope much that the sea may do Etty⁷ & Lenny⁸ good. And if it does our expedition will answer, but not otherwise.

I have never half thanked you for all the extraordinary trouble & kindness you showed [3] me about Wallace's affair⁹. Hooker¹⁰ told me what was done ^{at Linn[ean]. Soc[iet] y11} & I am far more than satisfied; & I do not think that Wallace can think my conduct unfair, in allowing you & Hooker to do whatever you thought fair.

I certainly was a little annoyed to lose all priority, but had resigned myself to my fate. I am going to prepare a longer abstract; but it is really impossible to do justice to the subject, except by giving the facts on which each conclusion [4] is grounded & that will of course be absolutely impossible.

Your name & Hooker's name appearing as in anyway the least interested in my work, will, I am certain have the most important bearing in leading people to consider the subject without prejudice. — I look at this as so very important that I am almost glad of Wallace's paper¹² for having led to this.

My dear Lyell | Yours most gratefully | Ch. Darwin [signature]