Darwin Correspondence Project

Down. | Bromley. | Kent. S.E.

Ap 12.

My dear Sir

I thank you sincerely for your very obliging letter. I look at it as a very great honour that a naturalist whose name I have respected for so many years should be willing to undertake the translation of my book. But Herr Schweizerbart, who published the Origin of Species applied to me some time ago, & as he had persuaded Prof. Victor Carus to make the translation, I have agreed to his proposal. The book, I am sorry to say, is very large, viz 2 vols. large 8vo, with I suppose at least 500 pages in each vol.   Prof. Carus, though he has undertaken the translation informs me that he has much work on hand, & it is possible (though not probable) that when he hears (& I wrote to him on the subject yesterday) of the size of the book, & that several sheets will be printed immediately & sent to him, he may wish to give up the task. In that case nothing wd give me higher satisfaction than that Schweizerbart shd arrange with you, if that be possible, for a translation; for I have often heard of the fame of your excellent translations. My present work I greatly fear is of much greater length than value. Its publication has been long delayed owing to ill-health from which I still suffer though in a less degree. The entire book will be published next November, & then I will do myself the pleasure of sending you a copy. Permit me to add that I have lately read with extreme interest the English translation of your Lectures on Man.

With the most sincere respect & with my best thanks I remain my dear Sir | yours very faithfully | Charles Darwin

P.S. I should very much like to possess a photograph of you if you will send me one; & I enclose one of myself in case you wd like to have it.—