198 WRITING OF THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES. [Ch. XI. 



C. D. to G. Lyell. Down, March 30th [1859]. 



My dear Ltell, — You have been uncommonly kind in all 

 you have done. You not only have saved me much trouble 

 and some anxiety, but have done all incomparably better than I 

 could have done it. I am much pleased at all you say about 

 Murray. I will write either to-day or to-morrow to him, and 

 will send shortly a large bundle of MS., but unfortunately I 

 cannot for a week, as the first three chapters are in the 

 copyists' hands. 



I am sorry about Murray objecting to the term Abstract, as 

 I look at it as the only possible apology for not giving refer- 

 ences and facts in full, but I will defer to him and you. I am 

 also sorry about the term " natural selection." I hope to 

 retain it with explanation somewhat as thus : — 



"^Through natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races." 



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

 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. 



G. D. to J. D. Booker. 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 



