x] OF EVOLUTION 131 



By June 21st he was able to write to Lyell '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 discussions 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 

 certainly worn out 133 / On September 10th the last 

 proof was corrected and the preparation of the 

 index commenced. At the meeting of the British 

 Association in Aberdeen, Lyell made the important 

 announcement of the approaching publication of the 

 great work. On November 24th the book was issued, 

 1250 copies having been printed, and Darwin wrote 

 to Murray, ' I am infinitely pleased and proud at the 

 appearance of my child.' The edition was sold out 

 in a day, and was followed early in the next year 

 by the issue of 3000 copies ; and untold thousands 

 have since appeared. 



The writing of such a work as the Origin of 

 Species, in so short a time especially taking into 

 consideration the condition of its author's health 

 was a most remarkable feat It would, of course, 

 not have been possible but for the fact that Darwin's 

 mind was completely saturated with the subject, and 



92 



