Corpus of Modern Scottish Writing (CMSW) - www.scottishcorpus.ac.uk/cmsw/ Document : 188 Title: Letter from Somerville to Murray3, 3 Jan 1869 Author(s): Somerville, Mary Naples Janry 1869 Dear Mr Murray I am glad to hear from Mr Pentland that you will undertake to publish my autobiography, it will not give you much trouble for I have written it with the utmost care and have revised the copy sent home. It is not long but should I live till Novr I may remember some old events or new discoveries may be made worth inserting which can easily be done As Mrs Greig is in Scotland the M.S is sent to my valued [freed] friend Sir John Herschel who will send it either to you or Mrs Greig should she be in London. Pray read it and let me know whether you think it will succeed or not. Of course I shortly discuss Darwins theory in my life it was too important a subject to be passed over, but it is much better to leave it out in the Phys. Geog. which is intended for schools and children. It is fortunate you have got a person to write the new edition for even if I could undertake it there is not a book on the subject to be had in Naples & I firmly believe no one who knows what it means. Send me any reviews that may take notice of my book whether for or against it, every one admires the manner in which it is got up. be so good as send a copy of it from me to Mr Babbage and to Mr Vincent Secretary to the R Institution We have bright sun-shine with bitterly cold wind and frost, Vesuvius has been powdered with snow but still sends out vapour — No post from England for some days Yours dear Mr Murray Very Sincerely Mary Somerville