Dear Sir

It is now a few months ago I received at Geneva through Mr. J. J. Moulinié your kind consentement to the publication of a french translation of your new work: “On Man”.¹

You will no doubt excuse my silence since that period with the doubtful and dreadful circumstances of the war.² Mrr Moulinié and Vogt have already prepared the first part of the book,³ and the printing of it could be pushed rapidly as soon as I should be returned to Paris. At all events it seemed to me preferable to have the book printed at Paris, and not neither in Switzerland nor in Belgium.

I intend to return to Paris, as soon as it will be possible and reasonable,⁴ and I hope that this will be in a fortnight or three weeks. As the postal relations will be opened to-day with the french capital, you may surely direct your communication, if necessary, to my firm, Rue des Saints-Pères N^o 15. Nothing can be opposed to my speedy return, being myself in possession of the right of a french citizen (par naturalisation); besides this several of my clerks were left at Paris, and corresponded with me by means of the Balloons.⁵

The printing of the new edition of the Species was nearly finished, when I left Paris, and this volume can be in sale before Easter.⁶

I beg to excuse once more, my long silence, but in reality I was not at all of opinion to have your new and important work printed elsewhere as at Paris.

It send this note through Messrs John Murray, to whom I write in behalf of the wood-cuts.⁷

I remain, Dear Sir | Your most obedient servant | C Reinwald