1 859.] PLANS FOR PUBLICATION. 151. 



as I still hope to be. We have set up a billiard table, and I 

 find it does me a deal of good, and drives the horrid species 

 out of my head. Farewell, my dear old friend. 



Yours affectionately, 



C. DARWIN. 



C. Darwin to C. LyelL 

 ^ Down, March 28th [1859]. 



MY DEAR LYELL, If I keep decently well, I hope to be 

 able to go to press with my volume early in May. This being 

 so, I want much to beg a little advice from you. From an 

 expression in Lady Lyell's note, I fancy that you have 

 spoken to Murray. Is it so ? And is he willing to publish 

 my Abstract? If you will tell me whether anything, and 

 what has passed, I will then write to him. Does he know at 

 all of the subject of the book ? Secondly, can you advise me, 

 whether I had better state what terms of publication I should 

 prefer, or first ask him to propose terms ? And what do you 

 think would be fair terms for an edition ? Share profits, or 

 what ? 



Lastly, will you be so very kind as to look at the enclosed 

 title and give me your opinion and any criticisms ; you must 

 remember that, if I have health and it appears worth doing, I 

 have a much larger and full book on the same subject nearly 

 ready. 



My Abstract will be about five hundred pages of the size of 

 your first edition of the ' Elements of Geology.' 



Pray forgive me troubling you with the above queries ; and 

 you shall have no more trouble on the subject. I hope the 

 world goes well with you, and that you are getting on with 

 your various works. 



I am working very hard for me, and long to finish and be 

 free and try to recover some health. 



My dear Lyell, ever yours, 



C. DARWIN. 



