My dear Sir

Your letter has been a great relief to my mind, for I had got to hate my Notice.² Of 2 relations whom I can trust one says that she thinks it dull & ought to be much shortened with parts omitted & parts differently arranged, & the other (my Brother) thinks it interesting & wants nothing omitted. A third advises me to shorten about M^rs. Schimmelpenninck.—³

My plan is to take all materials with me to the Lakes, when we go on August 1^st for a month’s change & rest, & by that time M^r. Dallas hopes to have whole Translation finished.⁴

I am extremely glad that you think much need not be omitted either in mine or your article.

A new idea strikes me on which I will reflect: viz that my notice sh^d. appear after yours & be called “An or Supplementary or additional notice” or some such Title.

You can keep the Proofs, & I will send corrected ones, as soon as such are ready.⁵

I will write to U. States to enquire if M^s Appleton will bring out Edition there.—⁶

I am very sorry to hear about Grant Allen: I have not yet read your article.— My memory has grown very poor & I cannot recollect much of what you wrote; but I remember being struck with it,—so much so, that I sent the number to M^r Gladstone to read.⁷ I do not know M^r Grant Allen personally, & never saw him but feel inclined to like & respect him from his writings, & I am very sorry for him for he writes under very trying circumstances. Therefore I grieve that he sh^d. have been guilty of plagiarism.—⁸

Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin