My dear Sir

I am particularly obliged for all your clear answers to my queries.¹

Do you agree to my telling Mess^rs Appleton that you will supply Cliches of the woodcuts for £10, & stereotypes of the text for 5£ above prior cost or £45 (i.e. £55 for the text & cuts)?² I am aware that this gives us conjointly very small profit; but from what you tell me of the cost of setting up the book in type, it w^d be no advantage to Mess^rs A. to offer them the plates at a much higher cost, & as they paid me so liberally for the Descent I wish to act liberally towards them.³

I can see that it is hard upon you, but then there w^d be no profit if the book were set up in type.⁴ Please to let me hear as soon as you can in answer, & about the cost per 1000 of copies of the heliotype plates. I will then at once write to Mess^rs A & make them the offer; & I will then write to all the foreign editors to know how many copies of the Heliotypes they will require, & that they must procure them by pre-payment to you. I have advised Kowalewsky not to print so large an ed. as 4000, but know not what he will determine. I have spoken to him about payment to myself.⁵

I think I shall make a present of the right of translation to Victor Carus, who is poor & whom I greatly respect.—⁶ Reinwald wished for a French translation some time ago, but I have not heard from him lately, & I am not much esteemed in France—⁷ I know nothing as yet about other translations. I do not suppose all the proofs will be finished before the end of the month, as I must soon have a week’s rest. As soon as I get clean sheets I will see about the index. I sh^d prefer Mr Dallas, & I sh^d think he w^d esteem yr offer of £8 as very liberal.⁸

My dear Sir | yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin