154 THE WRITING OF THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES.' [1859. 



and all my chapters are not nearly so dry and dull as that 

 which you have read on geographical distribution. Anyhow, 

 Murray ought to be the best judge, and if he chooses to publish 

 it, I think I may wash my hands of all responsibility. I am 

 sure my friends, i.e. Lyell and you, have been extraordinarily 

 kind in troubling yourselves on the matter. 



I shall be delighted to see you the day before Good 

 Friday ; there would be one advantage for you in any other 

 day as I believe both my boys come home on that day 

 and it would be almost impossible that I could send the 

 carriage for you. There will, I believe, be some relations in 

 the house but I hope you will not care for that, as we shall 

 easily get as much talking as my imbecile state allows. I 

 shall deeply enjoy seeing you. 



.... I am tired, so no more. 



My dear Hooker, your affectionate, 



C. Darwin. 



P.S. Please to send, well tied up with strong string, my 

 Geographical MS., towards the latter half of next week 

 i.e. 7th or 8th that I may send it with more to Murray ; 

 and God help him if he tries to read it. 



.... I cannot help a little doubting whether Lyell would 

 take much pains to induce Murray to publish my book ; this 

 was not done at my request, and it rather grates against my 

 pride. 



I know that Lyell has been infinitely kind about my affair, 

 but your dashed [i.e. underlined] " induce " gives the idea that 

 Lyell had unfairly urged Murray. 



C. Darwi?i to Asa Gray. 



April 4th [1859]. 



.... You ask to see my sheets as printed off; I assure 

 you that it will be the highest satisfaction to me to do so : I 

 look at the request as a high compliment. I shall not, you 



