parent. This I believe to be the original of the classification or arrangement of all organic
beings at all times. These always seem to branch and sub-branch like a tree from a common
trunk; the flourishing twigs destroying the less vigorous; the dead and lost branches rudely
representing extinct genera and families.The date of this letter was documentary proof of his precedence over Wallace’s
paper and after more pacing around the sandwalk and more periods of anguished
contemplation, Darwin decided that he wanted an outcome that was in his favour and
wrote another letter to Lyell:
There is nothing in Wallace’s sketch which is not written out much fuller in my Essay copied
in 1844 and read by Hooker some dozen years ago. About a year ago I sent a short sketch
of my views to Asa Grey, so that I can truly say and prove that I take nothing from Wallace.
I should be extremely glad now to publish a sketch of my general views in about a dozen
pages or so. But I cannot persuade myself that I can do so honourably. Wallace says nothing
about publication, and I enclose his letter. – But as I had not intended to publish any sketch,
can I do so honourably because Wallace has sent me an outline of his doctrine? – I would
rather burn my whole book, than that he or any other man should think that I have behaved
in such a paltry spirit. Do you think that his having sent me this sketch ties my hands?Lyell and Hooker worked on reaching a compromise which they thought would
be fair to both parties. They would arrange a joint publication of Darwin’s essay,
together with Wallace’s paper, at a special meeting of the Linnean Society to be held
at the beginning of July 1858. Darwin would not be present at the meeting, as he was
burying his little boy on the same day. Hooker and Lyell were present and introduced
the papers in order of writing. That is, Darwin’s unpublished essay which he sent to
Hooker, his 1857 letter to Asa Grey the American naturalist, and then Wallace’s 1858
Ternate paper ‘On the Tendency of Varieties to Depart Indefinitely from the Original
Type’. At that time Wallace was somewhere in in the wilds of Papua and could not
be consulted, but by presenting the documents in order of writing Darwin was given
scientific precedence. Lyell and Hooker both signed the letter which introduced the
papers, which as was customary were read by the secretary:
My Dear Sir,The accompanying papers, which we have the honour of communicating
to the Linnean Society, and which all relate to the same subject, viz. the Laws which
affect the Production of Varieties, Races, and Species, contain the results of theCharles Darwin – On the Origin of Species 175