My dear Sir

It is all right about the Russian & German translations. E. Koch will require a formal authorization.¹

It will of course be very necessary to guard against any foreign edition, of which probably there will be several, appearing before ours. There are several points about which I may as well now write; & I must trouble you with a very long letter.

It w^d be very advantageous to make some arrangement, if not too costly, with Mess^rs Clowes to keep the type till Nov^r.; as I shall be surprised & disappointed if not more than 1500 copies are ultimately sold. I shall have to give away a frightful number of copies.²

I shall be particularly obliged if you will find out at once the cost of stereotypes of the 21 blocks; making some small profit out of them, as on former occasions, so as to decrease slightly our joint outlay on the drawings.

I likewise wish much to know the exact cost of 1000 copies of the 7 heliotype plates; for I have forgotten the estimate which was given to me.³

I can then inform the foreign editors, & find out how many copies they will require, & will communicate with you or the H. Company.⁴ It w^d save much trouble if you will undertake to supply the foreigners with the heliotypes; receiving payment beforehand. I do not think it w^d be fair to increase the price of the heliotypes, but I understood from the Co. that they w^d allow me some small discount for copies ordered thro’ me; but this, if realized, ought to go to our joint acc^t.

The copies when received ought to be cursorarily examined to see that they are fairly good. How can this be managed? There is another very important point; I have not yet seen lettered proofs; & will you please to give distinct orders that lettered proofs are sent to me before any copies are printed off. W^d it not be adviseable to have the 1500 copies printed soon, so as to be safe from future delay?

Here is another important point: I want M^r Murray to let Mess^rs Appleton have stereotypes of the text;⁵ I think I have a right to ask this, as it will add considerably to my direct profits & somewhat to our joint profits. The fairest plan, as it seems to me, w^d be to ascertain the exact cost of the stereotypes & then to make some moderate addition to the cost. If you add much Mess^rs Appleton will re-set up the books & I shall be a g^t loser & you also to a moderate extent.

Please to let me hear pretty soon on this head, as I must communicate directly with Mess^rs Appleton, & I have agreed with them that they shall publish the book.⁶

M^r Cooper’s acc^t has not been paid (for the 21 blocks);⁷ & I fear that it will be rather heavy, as several of the larger figures were difficult to execute. I have paid all the artists as by enclosed mem^m.;⁸ & you can repay me when the book is published.

I shall want a short index made. The book will be only about 380 pages; & perhaps you can tell me what ought to be paid to the maker. I c^d then mention the sum to M^r Dallas,⁹ & if he does not think it worth undertaking, you c^d then recommend me some one else.

M^r Murray offered me a bill, due July 1 for £315 for the last ed. of the Descent. I said it w^d do just as well to pay the amt into my bank at this date; but I have received no notice of the payment.¹⁰

I am very sorry to have troubled you with so gigantic a letter; but I beg you to consider all the points mentioned; & then I think I shall cause no more trouble.—

My dear Sir | Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin