l6o THE WRITING OF THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES.' L1859. 



C. Darwin to C. Lyell. 



Down, June 21st [1859]. 



... I am working very hard, but get on slowly, for I find 

 that my corrections are terrifically heavy, and the work most 

 difficult to me. I have corrected 130 pages, and the volume 

 will be about 500. I have tried my best to make it clear and 

 striking, but very much fear that I have failed so many dis- 

 cussions are and must be very perplexing. I have done my 

 best. If you had all my materials, I am sure you would have 

 made a splendid book. I long to finish, for I am nearly 

 worn out. 



My dear Lyell, ever yours most truly, 



C. Darwin. 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



Down, 22nd [June, 1859]. 



My DEAR Hooker, I did not answer your pleasant note, 

 with a good deal of news to me, of May 30th, as I have 

 been expecting proofs from you. But now, having nothing 

 particular to do, I will fly a note, though I have nothing 

 particular to say or ask. Indeed, how can a man have any- 

 thing to say, who spends every day in correcting accursed 

 proofs ; and such proofs ! I have fairly to blacken them, and 

 fasten slips of paper on, so miserable have I found the style. 

 You say that you dreamt that my book was entertaining ; that 

 dream is pretty well over with me, and I begin to fear that 

 the public will find it intolerably dry and perplexing. But I 

 will never give up that a better man could have made a 

 splendid book out of the materials. I was glad to hear about 

 Prestwich's paper.* My doubt has been (and I see Wright 



* Mr. Prestwich wrote on the animals in France. Proc. R. Soc, 

 occurrence of flint instruments as- 1859. 

 sociated with the remains of extinct 



