My dear Sir

Your Brother, as you will have heard from him, felt so convinced that you would not object to a Translation of “Für Darwin”, that I have ventured to arrange for a translation.¹ Engelmann has very liberally offered me “cliches” of the woodcuts for 22 thalers;² M^r. Murray has agreed to bring out a translation (& he is our best publisher) on commission, for he w^d. not undertake the work on his own risk;³ & I have agreed with W. S. Dallas (who has translated Von Siebold on Parthenogenesis & many German works & who writes very good English) for the sum of from 12 to 15 sovereigns to translate the book.⁴ He thinks (& he is a good judge) that it is important to have some few corrections or additions, in order to account for a translation appearing so long after the original; so that I hope you will be able to send some.—⁵ There is no very great hurry for M^r D. cant translate the book until 2 or 3 months have passed, as he has his hands full.—

M^r Murray says he will do his best for me that there may be some profit, all of which, after expences have been paid, will be handed over to you; but of course it is a mere chance whether there will be profit, as purely scientific works do not sell well in England.

I am quite indifferent to any loss, as it cannot be large, & if 100 copies are sold to naturalists I shall think any loss well repaid to me by the aid which your admirable work will do towards spreading the views, which we both entertain.—

I shall consult Murray how many copies to print.— I suppose 750 or 1000.⁶ Please say how many you w^d like sent to you, or to any one else. I will send some to best Scientific Reviews in England.— I most sincerely hope that you will not disapprove what I have done.—

My dear Sir | Yours very truly | Ch. Darwin

P.S. We are much perplexed about Title for the Translation.— I proposed “Für Darwin”, but Murray, Sir C. Lyell,⁷ & Dallas were most strongly opposed, as so unusual: they were, as well as some others, equally opposed to “For Darwin”   Sir C. Lyell suggested “Facts & arguments in favour of Darwin”. I think I like this best; but I have not as yet heard from M^r Dallas the translator, what he thinks.— Have you any decided opinion on the English Title?⁸