Corpus of Modern Scottish Writing (CMSW) - www.scottishcorpus.ac.uk/cmsw/ Document : 186 Title: Letter from Somerville to Murray3, 28 Mar 1857 Author(s): Somerville, Mary Somerville Mrs Florence 28th March 1857 Dear Mr Murray I was much pleased to hear from Mr Pentland that the Council of Education has adopted my Phys. Geog. and that a new edition will be required immediately, but I must protest against going to press till it is brought up to the present time. Pentland wishes you to delay till June and so do I, for I am sure it is impossible to be ready sooner. I have already Completely recast the chapter on the Ocean from Maury and shall have much more from that excellent work. — I can have most of the journals from the Grand Dukes library, but I much want information on Africa, an article that must be intirely rewritten; perhaps you would have the goodness to send Livingstons book and indeed any thing that you think would be useful & sent by steam I shall have it in a fortnight. The gold mines in California and Australia were not discovered when the last edition was printed which will show you how far it is behind. You who are on the spot best know what is new, and can help me greatly — I shall work hard but I am not so ready a writer as I used to be my hand shakes so much. — I have excellent accounts of Mrs Murray and the children from medical friends and always hear of them and you with pleasure — we have all been well during the severe winter, unusually severe for Tuscany and even yet the weather is cold. Mr Somerville has never had a complaint till ten days ago when he caught cold and had a troublesome cough but I am happy to say it is nearly gone and he is well again. — I have just heard news that has surprised us not a little Sir David Brewster 76 years old was married a few days ago to Miss Parnell aged 26 a grocers daughter. Sir David and his daughter have been living at Cannes which he left a few days before the wedding without saying a word to his daughter of his engagement but left her with the Duchess Dow. of Argyle who had to tell her of it. They were married at Nice and are going to Rome so we shall have a visit of the sposi on their way either going or coming. — I was delighted to hear that Woronzow's leg is quite well again but I fear he is too busy to take the exercise he requires — We all join in very kind remembrance to Mrs Murray and believe me ever sincerely yours Mary Somerville My dear Murray — You will oblige me if you will procure & send me one of Mappins Shilling Razor Shop — at No 67 King William Street yours truly W Somerville