From John Murray   2 November 1859

My dear Sir

By this day’s post I send you a specimen copy of your book bound— I hope it may receive your approval. Please reply by return & not a moment shall be lost in getting ready the early copies—your instructions seem quite clear & shall be carefully followed.

Now as to price—the book from its bulk & size will not be dear at 14/. & this is the price I propose. At this price the edition of 1250 copies will yield about £240—$\frac{2}{3}$ ^rds of which will go to the author— The only alternative is 12/.—which will yield no more than £150—¹

At 14/. the lowest trade allowance will be 9/6 My Trade Sale is unavoidably put off to the 22^nd—this will give more time for your copies to circulate— I will do the best for the foreign ones

I am dear Sir (in great haste) | Yours very faithfully, (signed) John Murray.

In the above statement of probable profits, I have not deducted anything for corrections & omissions— They amount in Clowes’ bill to £72:8:—but I do not wish to deduct any part of them in your case, but to let them go into the general account of expenses² Charles Darwin Esq.

Terrace, Ilkley Wells, Ottley.³