[page] 34

344 DARWIN (CHARLES, 1809-1882). Naturalist and Author.

AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED TO MR. SCHOBERT.

3 pp., 8vo. 2nd August (1839). £7 10s

Preparations for the publication of "Voyage of the Beagle."

[To William Shoberl 2 August [1837]]

"I should be much obliged if you would take the trouble to write to your friend, and ask him if he would excuse my capriciousness and continue to make the alterations in ink, for they are so few and so good, that it is a mere loss of time on my part to go over them with ink. Perhaps it would be better if he thinks a whole sentence or a few lines are better left out, to use the pencil, as it catches my eye sooner, and there are some remarks which I should be sorry to be omitted and the meaning of which possibly would not be perceived excepting by a naturalist." Etc.

345 DARWIN (CHARLES).

AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED.

23 pp., 8vo. Kent, 4th July, 1843. £6 6s

[To Henry Colburn 4 July [1843]]

Regarding a German translation of his "Journal" which was about to be printed. Darwin's "Journal" formed the third volume of his work on the Voyage of the Beagle.

346 DARWIN (CHARLES).

AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED.

4 pp., 8vo. London, 16th August, 1839. £5 5s

[To William Schoberl 16 August [1839]]

Giving his opinion of a book on geology which he considers will never be esteemed by really scientific men.

"I have looked over the MS. sheets, but do not feel myself competent to give any decided opinion upon the probability of success in their publication. But thus far I dare venture to say:—that the book will never be highly esteemed by really scientific men. The definitions (in many cases merely translations of arbitrary terms given to classes) are to short to be of any service, and there are not a few trifling inaccuracies in matter and style. In order that a work of this nature should become of authority the author's name should be known, as having worked in the department of science treated of, which is not the case in this instance." Etc.