268 LONDON AND CAMBRIDGE. ^.TAT. 29. [1838. 



is very bad for the intellects ; the Scotch mists will put out 

 some volcanic speculations. You see I am affecting to be- 

 come very Cockneyfied, and to despise the poor country- 

 folk, who breathe fresh air instead of smoke, and see the 

 goodly fields instead of the brick houses in Marlborough 

 Street, the very sight of which I confess I abhor. I am glad 

 to hear what a favourable report you give of the British 

 Association. I am the more pleased because I have been 

 fighting its battles with Basil Hall, Stokes, and several others, 

 having made up my mind, from the report in the AthencEwn, 

 that it must have been an excellent meeting. I have been 

 much amused with an account I have received of the wars of 

 Don Roderick* and Babbage. What a grievous pity it is 

 that the latter should be so implacable. . . . This is a most 

 rigmarole letter, for after each sentence I take breath, and 

 you will have need of it in reading it. . . . 



I wish with all my heart that my Geological book was out. 

 I have every motive to work hard, and will, following your 

 steps, work just that degree of hardness to keep well. I 

 should like my volume to be out before your new edition of 

 ' Principles ' appears. Besides the Coral theory, the volcanic 

 chapters will, I think, contain some new facts. I have lately 

 been sadly tempted to be idle — that is, as far as pure geology 

 is concerned — by the delightful number of new views which 

 have been coming in thickly and steadily, — on the classifica- 

 tion and affinities and instincts of animals — bearing on the 

 question of species. Note-book after note-book has been 

 filled with facts which begin to group themselves clearly un- 

 der sub-laws. 



Good night, my dear Lyell. I have filled my letter and 

 enjoyed my talk to you as much as I can without having you 

 in propria persona. Think of the bad effects of the country — 

 so once more good night. Ever yours, 



Chas. Darwin. 



Pray again give my best thanks to Mrs. Lyell. 

 * Murchison. 



