My dear Lyell

Again I have to thank you for a most valuable lot of criticisms in a letter dated 22^d.—²

This morning I heard, also, from Murray that he sold whole Edition the first day to the trade. He wants new Edition instantly, & this utterly confounds me. Now under water-cure with all nervous power directed to the skin, I cannot possibly do head-work, & I must make only actually necessary corrections. But I will as far as I can without my M.S. take advantage of your suggestions. I must not attempt much.

Will you send me one line to say whether I must strike out about the Secondary Whales: it goes to my heart.³ About Rattle-snake look to my Journal under Trigonocephalus & you will see probable origin of rattle, & generally in transitions it is the premier pas qui coute.—⁴

Madame Belloc wants to translate my Book into French:⁵ I have offered to look over proofs for scientific errors. Did you ever hear of her? I believe Murray has agreed at my urgent advice; but I fear I may have been rash & premature. Quatrefages has written to me, saying he agrees largely with my views— He is excellent naturalist.—⁶ I am pressed for time. Will you give me one line about the Whales? Again thank you for never-tiring advice & assistance: I do in truth reverence your unselfish & pure love of truth.

My dear Lyell | Ever yours | C. Darwin

Erasmus says about my Book “In fact the a priori reasoning is so entirely satisfactory to me, that if the facts wont fit in, why so much the worse for the facts is my feeling”.!⁷