My dear George

Many thanks for your note. I am heartily glad that dear old Backy is going on so well.² It gives me an awesome shudder whenever I think of it, & that is a deal too often. Tell him with my love to be sure to obey strictly the surgeon’s directions; for I remember Engleheart said when M^rs. Evans cut quite a small artery, that there was liability for longish time for the cut to open.—³ I am glad to hear that he is able to dissect. Tell him that I quoted with wonderful success the other day at the Nortons his proverb that “a fib in time saves nine”.⁴

I suppose you will not bring home Thompson’s big Book; so will you look & see exactly what he says (if he says anything) how many millions of years ago the crust of the Earth first became solidified so that it c^d. have supported living beings.⁵ Croll quotes a passage rather too briefly for me.⁶

See if Thompson refers to any other papers by himself on subject.— I wish I knew what Haughton had said.—⁷ It is partly for this that I want Lyell’s Principles, & you had better bring Lyell’s other book.—⁸ Croll has most kindly sent me excellent M.S. abstract of his views & a volume with all his own papers, which I must return, but have kept for you to read; however, I fear you will not have time on account of Wales.⁹ The brevity of the world troubles me, on account of the pre-silurian creatures which must have lived in numbers during endless ages, else my views w^d be wrong, which is impossible — Q.E.D.—¹⁰

I have got Owen’s book, but had not noticed the pile of abuse against me & which I must soon read. I sh^d have never twigged the D.T.—¹¹ I daresay I shall want much advice about Croll & Thompson & be hanged to them.—

Your most affect^ly | C. Darwin

It is all for new Edit. of Origin.—¹²