Wallace fully informing him of the
motives of the course adopted.
In answer Mr. Darwin thanked me warmly for my offer to explain all
to Mr. Wallace, and in a later letter he informed me that he was
disposed to look favourably on my suggested compromise, but that
before making up his mind he desired a second opinion as to
whether he could honourably claim priority, and that he proposed
applying to Sir Charles Lyell for this. I need not say that this
was a relief to me, knowing as I did what Sir Charles's answer
must be.
In Vol. II., pp. 117-18, of the "Life and Letters," Mr. Darwin's
application to Sir Charles Lyell is given, dated June 26th, with a
postscript dated June 27th. In it he requests that the answer
shall be sent to me to be forwarded to himself. I have no
recollection of reading the answer, which is not to be found
either in Darwin's or my own correspondence; it was no doubt
satisfactory.
Further action was now left in the hands of Sir Charles and
myself, we all agreeing that, whatever action was taken, the
result should be offered for publication to the Linnean Society.
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