WCP6629

[1] [p. 126]

25 July 1866 — I had already discovered that the photograph I sent you was not Darwin¹, and I can tell you how. About 3 months after I sent you that photo, which was sold me for Darwin and which I firmly believed was Darwin, Marshman² asked me to an evening at his house, and I went. I was to meet a Mr. Wallis (sic, meaning Mr. Alfred Russel Wallace) — the gentleman mentioned by Darwin in his preface as having arrived at conclusions very similar to his own. Lo and behold! who should [2] [p. 127] this Mr. Wallis be but the very gentleman whose photograph I had sent you! I had meant writing to tell you, but put it off. I tried several times to get a photo of the true Darwin as soon as I found how I had been deceived — but I never succeeded. I am very glad, however, that you have got one now; you will readily understand that it never entered into my head to doubt that the photo I sent you was genuine when I saw Darwin written on the back; neither should I have been undeceived until I got your letter unless I had accidentally met Wallis. However, all’s well that ends well.