To Mr Dorrell 9 August 1870
Down, Beckenham, Kent
Aug 9th./70/
To Mr Dorrell at Messrs Clowes.
Dear Sir
I send all the M.S for my next book, except the last chapter, which I retain for additions.—1 All the woodcuts are in your hand except for 2 of later chapters in Vol. 2; & I will hereafter send proofs of them with proper page & Chapt. for insertion.—
The book is to be printed of same type & size as my Origin of Species; & I shd like the foot-notes numbered as in my Dom. Animals.2
Please to send 2 Slips, printed on paper which is not bibulous.—3 The proofs of woodcuts in my M.S will serve, instead of fresh proofs of woodcuts.
I shd esteem it a favour if you would not send me any slips, till you can send me about 2 sheets,4 & till you feel sure that you can afterwards keep me at full work, but I work slowly; for I am incapable of changing the nature of my work.—
I shall return home & be ready to begin correcting on Aug. 22d.;5 or if I shd be delayed a few days I would inform you in good time.—
Will you oblige me by a single line telling me, as nearly as you can, when I may expect to receive slips in manner requested; so that I may arrange my occupations.
I hope I shall not cause you much trouble. Dear Sir | Yours faithfully | Ch. Darwin
P.S. I shd like the Chapters to run continuously from I to XXII in the two volumes.—
As far as subject is concerned Chapt XII wd be the best for beginning vol. 2. & I think will be nearly equal. The last Chapt XXII (not sent) will be short; but the Index will be rather long.—
I fear Chapt XII may perhaps have to go in Vol I.; but you will be able to decide better, when the first volume is all printed.6
Footnotes
Bibliography
Descent: The descent of man, and selection in relation to sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871.
Freeman, Richard Broke. 1977. The works of Charles Darwin: an annotated bibliographical handlist. 2d edition. Folkestone, Kent: William Dawson & Sons. Hamden, Conn.: Archon Books, Shoe String Press.
Origin 5th ed.: On the origin of species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. 5th edition, with additions and corrections. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1869.
Variation: The variation of animals and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868.
Summary
Sends instructions to Messrs Clowes concerning typesetting and printing of proof-sheets of Descent.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-7298
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- Mr. Dorrell; William Clowes & Sons
- Sent from
- Down
- Source of text
- The New York Public Library. Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations. The Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature.
- Physical description
- ALS 4pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 7298,” accessed on 1 September 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-7298.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 18