My. Dear. Emma.

I have just finished my sketch of my species theory.¹ If, as I believe that my theory is true & if it be accepted even by one competent judge, it will be a considerable step in science.

I therefore write this, in case of my sudden death, as my most solemn & last request, which I am sure you will consider the same as if legally entered in my will, that you will devote 400£ to its publication & further will yourself, or through Hensleigh,² take trouble in promoting it.— I wish that my sketch be given to some competent person, with this sum to induce him to take trouble in its improvement. & enlargement.— I give to him all my Books on Natural History, which are either scored or have references at end to the pages, begging him carefully to look over & consider such passages, as actually bearing or by possibility bearing on this subject.—³ I wish you to make a list of all such books, as some temptation to an Editor. I also request that you hand over him all those scraps roughly divided in eight or ten brown paper Portfolios:— The scraps with copied quotations from various works are those which may aid my Editor.—⁴ I also request that you (or some amanuensis) will aid in deciphering any of the scraps which the Editor may think possibly of use.— I leave to the Editor’s judgment whether to interpolate these facts in the text, or as notes, or under appendices. As the looking over the references & scraps will be a long labour, & as the correcting & enlarging & altering my sketch will also take considerable time, I leave this sum of 400£ as some remuneration & any profits from the work.— I consider that for this the Editor is bound to get the sketch published either at a Publishers or his own risk. Many of the scraps in the Portfolios contains mere rude suggestions & early views now useless, & many of the facts will probably turn out as having no bearing on my theory.

With respect to Editors.— M^r. Lyell would be the best if he would undertake it: I believe he w^d find the work pleasant & he w^d learn some facts new to him. As the Editor must be a geologist, as well as Naturalist. The next best Editor would be Professor Forbes of London.⁵ The next best (& quite best in many respects) would be Professor Henslow??. D^r. Hooker would perhaps correct the Botanical Part probably——he would do as Editor——⁶ D^r Hooker would be very good⁷ The next, M^r Strickland.—⁸ If no⁠⟨⁠ne⁠⟩⁠ of these would undertake it, I would request you to consult with M^r Lyell, or some other capable man, for some Editor, a geologist & naturalist.

Should one other hundred Pounds, make the difference of procuring a good Editor, I request earnestly that you will raise 500£.

My remaining collection in Natural History, may be given to anyone or any Museum, where it w^d be accepted:—

My dear Wife | Yours affect | C. R. Darwin

If there sh^d be any difficulty in getting an editor who would go thoroughily into the subject & think of the bearing of the passages marked in the Books & copied out on scraps of Paper, then let my sketch be published as it is, stating that it was done several years ago⁹ & from memory, without consulting any works & with no intention of publication in its present form—

PS | Lyell, especially with the aid of Hooker (& of any good zoological aid) would be best of all

Without an Editor will pledge himself to give up time to it, it would be of no use paying such a sum.—¹⁰