From H. N. Moseley   24 November 1878

Dear M^r Darwin

I hope to publish my Challenger Journal about Christmas  I send you by book post a set of revises of the first 300 pages of the book. My object in doing so is to ask you if you will permit me to dedicate the book to you.¹  It would of course be a great pleasure to me to be allowed to do so.

I am well aware that the book has many faults and imperfections and that a good deal of it lacks novelty, but there are I think some good points in it. Most of it is printed from a journal sent home in the form of letters from the Challenger.

I do not know whether you object to having books dedicated to you and I have some scruple in making my present request because I feel that your kindness might lead you to give me the permission I ask even though such might be to some extent at variance with your inclinations. I trust however that you will have no scruples in refusing my request should you entertain any feelings of doubt in the matter.

May I ask you to return my bundle of sheets of proof. I have no other complete set to work with. I hope to be able to send you the complete book in the course of three weeks.

Believe me | yours truly | H N Moseley.