Dear Sir.

We have too long delayed answering your esteemed favor of Jany 25^th and beg pardon for the seeming neglect.¹ “The Variation of Animals and Plants” has not sold quite as largely as we had hoped, the second edition of our thousand being now about half sold.² But the sale appears steady and will we think continue for sometime to come. Our universal, almost custom is to stereotype or electrotype books which makes it much more difficult to change the matter than if kept in type.³

Then you are so exceedingly progressive, which of course we like, that it is difficult for publishers to keep up with you. There is one difficulty with regard to publishing the “Origin of the Species”.⁴   it needs and must have frequent changes and additions which of course are not congenial with the profits of bookmaking generally. Then again our relations with Messrs Appleton & Co are such that while we might consider fairly that they had given up their claim to publish according to the ordinary rules of American Booksellers & publishers ettiquette yet we would not like in any way to annoy them by appearing to others who do not fully understand the whole matter to trepass upon their grounds.⁵ We regard on these accounts feeling obliged to decline your kind offer. We are inclined to keep some of the English Edition of the Origin in stock and will sell what we can of the New Edition. Can the additions and alterations in the Variation be put in the form of an appendix or supplement to our next edition? We shall be pleased to receive a copy in sheets when ready. Enclosed we hand you Bill of Exchange on Baring Bros & Co for fifty pounds and only wish it were more,⁶ and remain

Yours truly | Orange Judd & Co

Chas Darwin