The appearance of my child

‘I am infinitely pleased & proud at the appearance of my child.’

Charles Darwin, writing from just below a Yorkshire moor to his publisher, John Murray, 3rd Nov 1859, on receiving his first copy of On the Origin of Species.

I finally know the feeling, Charles.

This afternoon, I received my proof copy of On the Moor:

Not quite as ground-breaking as On the Origin of Species, perhaps, but no reason to be any less pleased or proud.