1 859.] FINISHED. 171 



Murray has printed 1250 copies, which seems to me 

 rather too large an edition, but I hope he will not lose. 



I make as much fuss about my book as if it were my first. 

 Forgive me, and believe me, my dear Lyell, 



Yours most sincerely, 



C. Darwin. 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



Ilkley, Yorkshire, Oct. 15th [1859]. 



My DEAR HOOKER, Be a good man and screw out time 

 enough to write me a note and tell me a little about yourself, 

 your doings, and belongings. 



Is your Introduction fairly finished ? I know you will abuse 

 it, and I know well how much I shall like it. I have been 

 here nearly a fortnight, and it has done me very much good, 

 though I sprained my ankle last Sunday, which has quite 

 stopped walking. All my family come here on Monday to 

 stop three or four weeks, and then I shall go back to the great 

 establishment, and stay a fortnight ; so that if I can keep my 

 spirits, I shall stay eight weeks here, and thus give hydro- 

 pathy a fair chance. Before starting here I was in an awful 

 state of stomach, strength, temper, and spirits. My book has 

 been completely finished some little time ; as soon as copies 

 are ready, of course one will be sent you. I hope you will 

 mark your copy with scores, so that I may profit by any 

 criticisms. I should like to hear your general impression. 

 From Lyell's letters, he thinks favourably of it, but seems 

 staggered by the lengths to which I go. But if you go any 

 considerable length in the admission of modification, I can see 

 no possible means of drawing the line, and saying here you 

 must stop. Lyell is going to reread my book, and I yet enter- 

 tain hopes that he will be converted, or perverted, as he calls 

 it. Lyell has been extremely kind in writing me three volume- 

 like letters ; but he says nothing about dispersal during the 



