My Dear Sir

I think you take too much to heart the amount of the bulk of your MS— I am by no means disheartened & do not contemplate at all throwing up the publication²

Your suggestion of printing technical details in smaller type is a very good one & will relieve us of part of the dilemma³

But before I return your MS to be marked with red I beg you to consent to the carrying out of an Experiment suggested by yourself viz—testing the substance of the MS by its effects on a man of Letters & good information—not a man of science & awaiting the impression made on him by it—

I send the MS. yesterday to such a person a friend of mine, in about a week I shall have his answer & will give you the result⁴

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

The printer will send you rough proofs of the cuts, wch you may insert with their titles in the places of the MS where they come in⁵—in case this is not already done.

Ch Darwin Esq