Is convinced that 2000 more copies [of Expression] must be printed without delay in order to meet demand. He therefore asks CD to send his corrections to the printer at once.

Has sent off a few trifling errata [of Expression] to Mr Clowes. Asks about the heliotypes.

Would like to hear about the sale of his books. [See 8616.]

The reception of Expression has exceeded even JM’s expectations; 5267 copies were sold at the annual sale. CD’s modesty about the work had misled him about its probable sale.

CD is delighted and astonished at sale of Expression,

and pleased with sale of others, except Descent. He fears a new edition of that work may never be required. Would have liked to bring out a thoroughly revised one.

Price of Expression is 12s.

Sends cheque to pay CD his share of profits on Origin [6th ed.].

Thanks JM for £210 on last reprint of Origin [6th ed.]. Pleased by its sale

and by the success of Expression.

Encloses cheque for 1000 guineas, CD’s share of profits on first 7000 copies of Expression.

Asks Murray not to announce Cross and self-fertilisation.

Sends CD an account that has the novelty of having a balance against CD.

CD will have to make heavy corrections in Expression and Descent if there ever is a new edition of either.

Will soon begin another book [Insectivorous plants].

It and a second one [Cross and self-fertilisation] will sell only "very specially".

Acknowledges CD’s cheque.

Sends CD cheque for profits on Orchids and a statement of stock on hand of CD’s works [missing].

Origin and Expression sales are stagnant.

Has finished corrections for 2d edition of Descent – "as hard work as I have ever had in my life". Estimates it is 40 pages longer than 1st edition.

Discusses 2d edition of Descent. CD is inclined to a cheap edition and asks JM to consider a one-volume edition in double-column format.

Recommends that JM consider publishing a new edition of J. F. McLennan’s Primitive marriage [1865]. CD considers it very valuable and not too indelicate.

Orchids is at last sold out. Settles account.

The Origin [6th ed.] is making good [sales] progress.

Expression is not selling.

Asks JM, as a favour, to use his influence with the Editor of Quarterly Review to print George Darwin’s answer to the charge made by the author of "Primitive man" [St George Mivart] that GD approved "of the encouragement of vice to check population".

Acknowledges CD’s complaint against a paper [by St George Mivart] in the last Quarterly Review [see 9568]. Agrees to print George Darwin’s answer [see 9596].

Thanks for Quarterly Review [Oct 1874, containing G. H. Darwin’s letter and a rejoinder]. Is convinced the author is Mivart. Is therefore not surprised at malice in the article attacking his son [George Darwin] and grossly misrepresenting CD.

Statement of stock on hand of CD’s works.

Expression, curiously, at a dead stand-still.

Thanks JM for granting his request. Will write to D. Appleton.

CD is sorry about heavy loss from Expression; still thinks the book will sell in the course of years.