210 WRITING OF THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES, [ch. xi. 



Why I like the term is that it is constantly used in all 

 works on breeding, and I am surprised that it is not familiar 

 to Murray ; but I have so long studied such works that I 

 have ceased to be a competent judge. 



I again most truly and cordially thank you for your 

 really valuable assistance. 



Yours most truly. 



C. D. to J. D. Hooker. Down, April 2nd [1859]. 



... I wrote to him [Mr. Murray] and gave him the 

 headings of the chapters, and told him he could not have 

 the MS. for ten days or so ; and this morning I received a 

 letter, offering me handsome terms, and agreeing to publish 

 without seeing the MS. ! So he is eager enough ; I think I 

 should have been cautious, anyhow, but owing to your letter 

 I told him most explicitly that I accept his offer solely on 

 condition that, after he has seen part or all the MS. he has 

 full power of retracting. You will think me presumptuous, 

 but I think my book will be popular to a certain extent 

 (enough to ensure [against] heavy loss) amongst scientific 

 and semi-scientific men ; why I think so is because I have 

 found in conversation so great and surprising an interest 

 amongst such men, and some 0-scientific [non-scientific] 

 men on this subject, 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 Fri- 

 day ; 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. 



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

 my Geographical MS. towards the latter half of next week 



