1838.] FITTON, BOOTT. 295 



be amused at some of the ridiculo-sublime passages in the 

 papers, and no doubt will feel acutely a sneer there is at your- 

 self. I have heard from more than one quarter that quarrel- 

 ling is expected at Newcastle * ; I am sorry to hear it. I met 



old this evening at the Athenaeum, and he muttered 



something about writing to you or some one on the subject ; 

 I am however all in the dark. I suppose, however, I shall be 

 illuminated, for I am going to dine with him in a few days, as 

 my inventive powers failed in making any excuse. A friend 

 of mine dined with him the other day, a party of four, and 

 they finished ten bottles of wine a pleasant prospect for me ; 

 but I am determined not even to taste his wine, partly for the 

 fun of seeing his infinite disgust and surprise. . . . 



I pity you the infliction of this most unmerciful letter. 

 Pray remember me most kindly to Mrs. Lyell when you arrive 

 at Kinnordy. I saw her name in the landlord's book of In- 

 verorum. Tell Mrs. Lyell to read the second series of ' Mr. 

 Slick of Slickville's Sayings.' . . . He almost beats "Samivel/' 

 that prince of heroes. Good night, my dear Lyell ; you will 

 think I have been drinking some strong drink to write so 

 much nonsense, but I did not even taste Minerva's small beer 

 to-day. 



Yours most sincerely, 



CHAS. DARWIN. 



C. Darwin to C. Lyell. 



Friday night, September I3th [1838]. 



MY DEAR LYELL, 



I was astonished and delighted at your gloriously 

 long letter, and I am sure I am very much obliged to 

 Mrs. Lyell for having taken the trouble to write so much.f 

 I mean to have a good hour's enjoyment and scribble away 



* At the meeting of the British t Lyell dictated much of his 



Association. correspondence. 



