My dear Sir

I am sorry to trouble you. I continue excessively annoyed at the absurd size of my book, more especially as I feel nearly sure that I can make a striking chapter on man & this will make it so much bigger.—¹

A plan, which is often followed on the continent, has occurred to me, & which has some decided advantages besides reduction of bulk, namely to give details in smaller type; so that the general reader may at once pass over such details. Now in several chapters large portions, for instance all osteological details might be thus given.— I sh^d. not however like very small type being used. If, we will say, a $\frac{1}{3}$ of Book were printed in moderately smaller type, would this save much? In some chapters there could be no small type introduced.— What do you think of this plan?

If you approve I will send for M.S. & mark with a red line all that may be printed in smaller type; but I sh^d like to see the two types which could be used.

In the Introduction, I have given a sketch of Natural Selection in 20 or 30 pages, for the sake of those who have not read the Origin; I could strike the whole of this out.—² If you approve, I must know whether to send to your house or to Stamford St. for the M.S.³

I could mark all the passages in a week or so.—

Of course, if you think fit, you can decline publishing altogether, & I must undergo the trouble & disappointment of looking out for some other channel of publication.

My dear Sir | Yours very sincerely | Ch Darwin