From John Murray   28 September [1870]¹

Dear M^r Darwin

I will cause 4 sets of fair sheets of your new book to be sent to you when printed off²

Clowes has orders to attend to your directions about clichés from the woodcuts.³ If I understand you aright you have promised Appleton fair sheets & clichés of cuts—(not stereotypes of the text of the book)⁴   In this I see no great harm

I return Cassells Bill, with a cheque for the amount £10"10"9.⁵ I have written to Dallas about Index⁶

You have produced a book wch will caused men to prick up what little has been left them of ears—& to elevate their eye brows   However it may be eventually judged it cannot fail, I think to be much read—& I think I may venture on an Edition of 2500—copies—

It is with a view to remove any impediments to its general perusal that I w^d call your attention to the passage respecting the proportion of advances made by the two Sex in Animals.⁷ I w^d suggest that it might be toned down—as well as any other sentences liable to the imputation of indelicacy if there be any. I cannot help thinking that in the passages above referred to you scarcely do justice to the females witness the advances of the she cat & mare. I know not whether further on in the book you refer to Parrots & the power not only of speaking, but of applying words to circumstances—showing that they understand the meaning of words—⁸ I have a Parrot of my acquaintance whose accomplishments w^d amuse if they did not astonish you

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

Ch. Darwin Esq^r.