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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