I doubt whether I have made what I think clear; but certainly A.Gray's notion of the courses of variation having been led like a stream of water by gravity, seems to me to smash the whole affair.

It reminds me of a Spaniard whom I told I was trying to make out how the Cordillera was formed; and he answered me that it was useless, for "God made them." It may be said that God foresaw how they would be made.
I wonder whether Herschel would say that you ought always to give the higher providential law, and declare that God had ordered all certain changes of level, that certain mountains should arise.

I must think that such views of Asa Gray and Herschel merely show that the subject in their minds is in Comte's theological stage of science...
Of course I do not want any answer to my quasi-theological discussion, but only for you to think of my notions, if you understand them.
I hope to Heaven your long and great labours on your new edition are drawing to a close.
LETTER 131.

TO C.LYELL.Torquay, [August 13th, 1861].
Very many thanks for the orchids, which have proved extremely useful to me in two ways I did not anticipate, but were too monstrous (yet of some use) for my special purpose.
When you come to "Deification" (131/1.

See Letter 105, note.), ask yourself honestly whether what you are thinking applies to the endless variations of domestic productions, which man accumulates for his mere fancy or use.