Gus Bovona
Active member
Just heard about a letter that Darwin wrote to a critic of On the Origin of Species. Darwin shows the exact right attitude and approach you should take if you are interested in the truth.
Dear Sir
I received this morning your Review & have just read it. I thank you most cordially for it. There have been many reviews in England, opposed to me, but yours is the single one which seems to me perfectly fair & just & candid. I literally agree to every word you say. I admit there are no direct proofs of the greater modifications which I believe in.— I most fully admit that I by no means explain away all the vast difficulties. The only difference between us is that I attach much more weight to the explanation of facts, & somewhat less weight to the difficulties than you do.— I am conscious that I always jump at any theory which groups & explains facts; & attach too little weight to unexplained difficulties. Your mind is more cautious & I fear that the world would say more philosophical. The first part of your Review gives a really quite admirable condensation of my views.
Your fifth objection (p. 21) shows me that you think my idea of the spreading of the dominant species & their subsequent multiplication not satisfactory.—
Allow me again to express to you my cordial thanks. I never thought that I shd. read an opposed Review perfectly fair & just! I shall send it to Lyell, Hooker & Huxley to read.
With sincere respect | I remain yours very faithfully | C. Darwin
Would you like to possess a copy of my Journal of Researches during the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle I shd be truly proud to send it you?— How should I send it.?