From John Murray   18 February [1871]¹

Dear M^r Darwin

I have the pleasure to announce to you that I have this morn^g received from the Binder & have despatched as directed to you, at Orpington Stat: I hope they will reach you quickly.²

I take this opportunity to mention that the name of my Cousin & Partner M^r Cooke whom you know—will be suspended as Candidate for the Athenæum next week—to be ballotted for on Monday 27^th.³ It w^d be a great favor if you wd give him the support of your name & influence, in case circumstances sh^d bring you up to town during the week.

I am aware however that is a rare occurrence

I am my dear Sir | yours very faithfully | John Murray

PS. Miss Cobbe by your express injunction has received an early copy of your book.⁴ I beg of you on no account to permit any notice of the Book by her to appear until after next week. It w^d create great jealousy among the other papers if they knew such preference had been shown—

Chas Darwin Esq^r