To John Murray   16 [July 1845]

My dear Sir

I sent the M.S. to M^ess. Clowes on the 7^th & since then I have had only three sheets. I urged him to send me a sheet a day, stating the reason that my health is uncertain & that I would not on any account suffer, what I did last time, when, being unwell, I had to look over three or four sheets the last day.— Now I see M^s. Clowes is running the same course this time & I write to inform you, that if the number sh^d fail being ready it will be exclusively the fault of M^ess. Clowes for I cannot & will not exert myself again, if I chance to be unwell

Will you be so kind as to take the affair in your own hands with M^ess. Clowes.

My dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | C. Darwin