1858.] THE PROPOSED BOOK. \2J 



idea how many pages of the Journal could probably be spared 



me ? 



Directly after my return home, I would begin and cut my 

 cloth to my measure. If the Referees were to reject it as not 

 strictly scientific, I could, perhaps, publish it as a pamphlet. 



With respect to my big interleaved abstract,* would you 

 send it any time before you leave England, to the enclosed 

 address? If you do not go till August ^th-ioth, I should 

 prefer it left with you. I hope you have jotted criticisms on 

 my MS. on big Genera, &c, sufficient to make you remember 

 your remarks, as I should be infinitely sorry to lose them. 

 And I see no chance of our meeting if you go soon abroad. 

 AVe thank you heartily for your invitation to join you : I can 

 fancy nothing which I should enjoy more ; but our children 

 are too delicate for us to leave ; I should be mere living 

 lumber. 



Lastly, you said you would write to Wallace ; I certainly 

 should much like this, as it would quite exonerate me : if you 

 would send me your note, sealed up, I would forward it with 

 my own, as I know the address, &c. 



Will you answer me some time about your notions of the 

 length of my abstract. 



If you see Lyell, will you tell him how truly grateful I feel 

 for his kind interest in this affair of mine. You must know that 

 I look at it, as very important, for the reception of the view 

 of species not being immutable, the fact of the greatest 

 Geologist and Botanist in England taking any sort of interest 

 in the subject : I am sure it will do much to break down 

 prejudices. 



Yours affectionately, 



C. Darwin. 



* The Sketch of 1844. 



