My Dear Sir

Pray put yourself at ease about the publication of your new book.² I will publish it for you coute qui coute provided you will be content that I pay you one half the profits of the edition instead of a sum down at first—³ This I ask because—no doubt there is considerably greater risque in this than in the publication of your former works.—⁴

This work is not intended nor likely to become generally popular but I think after the sale of 6000 of your “Origins” I can count upon 500 purchasers of these new volumes—the “Pièces Justificatives” on wch that work is founded & I w^d propose to print an Edition of 750 copies⁵—in the size type & page of Lyells Principles— like wch it will make 2 volumes 8^vo.⁶

I have heard from my literary friend—but have not yet got back the MS.S from him— He certainly finds it difficult of digestion but he is not a man of science so his opinion is not a fair test altogether—⁷ Still in the face of it, I venture to submit to you the above proposal.

I am My Dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | John Murray

I hope to return the MS. this week | JM

Charles Darwin Esq