1859-1860.
[The "Origin" appeared in November. As soon as he had read it, Huxley
wrote the following letter to Darwin (already published in "Life of
Darwin" volume 2 page 231):--
Jermyn Street W., November 23, 1859.
My dear Darwin,
I finished your book yesterday, a lucky examination having furnished me
with a few hours of continuous leisure.
Since I read Von Baer's essays, nine years ago, no work on Natural
History Science I have met with has made so great an impression upon me,
and I do most heartily thank you for the great store of new views you
have given me. Nothing, I think, can be better than the tone of the
book--it impresses those who know about the subject. As for your
doctrine, I am prepared to go to the stake, if requisite, in support of