My dear Sir

I have this morning received a message from M^rs. Butler, (who was a Miss Edgeworth)¹ that Madame Belloc Rue Ecole de Medicine (5.) Paris wishes to translate my Book on Species into French.—² She translated some of Miss Edgeworths novels very well, & some of Sismondi’s works.³ She writes in Revue des deux mondes.⁴ All this sounds very well; my only doubt is whether she is scientific enough. I am, also, excessively puzzled to think how she could have heard of my Book.— I presume that she w^d. require to read it before agreeing to translate. I am extremely anxious for the subject sake (& God knows not for mere fame) to have my Book translated; & indirectly its being known abroad will do good to English Sale.— If it depended on me I sh^d. agree without payment & instantly send copy & only beg that she would get some scientific man to look over the Translation. But I suppose the affair rests in your hands. If you think favourably, will you at once communicate with her (for she begs for immediate answer) & let me hear result. It will save much time if you will write direct. But please apologise for my not writing direct & you may truly say I am much out of health. You might say that though I am a very poor French scholar, I could detect any scientific mistake, & would read over French proofs. Please act as you think fit, remembering how earnestly I wish my views to be known & discussed.

I trust you will excuse this trouble, as I could not possibly write to her, not knowing what power I have.

My dear Sir | Yours very sincerely | C. Darwin

I have heard that you have distributed copies in the country; & I hope to Foreigners & especially the 4 copies to D^r. Hooker.— Admiral FitzRoy writes that he has not received his copy, so I suppose for some reason you have not distributed the London copies as yet.—⁵ I hope you will soon.—

I wish there was any chance of German Translation when you see Sir C. Lyell will you kindly consult him. My Journal was translated: but Translator is dead.—⁶