My dear Lyell

You have been uncommonly kind in all you have done.— You not only have saved me much trouble & some anxiety, but have done all, incomparably better than I could have done it— I am much pleased at all you say about Murray.—¹ I will write either today or tomorrow to him & will send shortly a large bundle of M.S. but unfortunately I cannot for a week, as the three first chapters are in three copyists’ hands—²

I am sorry about Murray objecting to term abstract as I look at it as only possible apology for not giving References & facts in full.—but I will defer to him & you.—

I am, also, sorry about term “Natural Selection”, but I hope to retain it with Explanation, somewhat as thus,— “Through Natural Selection or the preserv-ation of favoured races”³

Why I like term is that it is constantly used in all works on Breeding, & I am surprised that it is not familiar to Murray; but I have so long studied such works, that I have ceased to be a competent judge.⁴

I again most truly & cordially thank you for your really valuable assistance.—

Yours most truly | C. Darwin

Emma comes up to London for 2 or 3 days on Friday & she proposes to come & breakfast with Lady Lyell & you on Saturday morning: I have told her 9$\frac{1}{2}$ is your hour, so you need not write—⁵