My dear Sir,

It is a long time since I have received a letter from you,¹ & I should very much like to hear how you are & what you are doing. I write now to say that I heard yesterday from the publisher of the Translation of Facts for Darwin that the sale has at last exceeded the cost of publication; & it is scandalous what charges all English publishers make. If I remember rightly 1500 copies were printed off, & he has about 500 on hand. He has transmitted to me only £4"13^s"1^d, how can I send this to you?² Or shall I purchase any books & send them to you?

Several months ago I was delighted to receive your brother’s book, which seems to me quite excellent.³ I hope in about a year’s time to publish the results of experiments carried on for about 7 years, which will prove what great vigour is given to seedling plants by the crossing of their parents; & it makes it clear why such elaborate contrivances have been developed for this purpose.⁴ But before publishing this, I shall print a little work on the physiological powers of Drosera & some allied plants; & I think the facts are very curious.⁵ I will of course send you a copy whenever it is published. I sent you a copy of my book on Expression, which I hope that you received but I cannot remember whether or not I have heard from you since⁶

Believe me, my dear Sir | Yours sincerely | Charles Darwin