Summary

Thanks JM for copy of Quarterly Review, with article on his worm book [Henry Wace, "Darwin on earthworms", Q. Rev. 153 (1882): 179–202].

Writer will change his mind on evolution. CD cannot think of any young worker in biology who is not convinced of the truth of evolution, though many believe that natural selection has not done much.

Summary

Undertakes to pay two-thirds of profits of the [fourth] edition of Origin as soon as one-half of the copies are sold.

Summary

Financial adjustments for last edition of Origin

and a tentative title for the new work: "Descent of man and selection according to sex". [Later changed to "in relation to sex".]

Summary

Asks JM to forward letter [1525] to Francis Galton "the author of the very interesting volume" Murray recently published.

Summary

Encloses a cheque for £11.19.9. Will transmit £7.9.4 to Fritz Müller. Thanks for account of the sale of his books, which appears to be in a "lamentable state".

Summary

Intends to publish a translation of Ernst Krause’s essay on Dr Erasmus Darwin, with a prefatory notice by himself. Asks JM to decide whether to publish it on commission or on usual two-thirds profit terms. CD incapable of judging chance of its selling.

Summary

Is well disposed toward publishing Krause’s essay on Dr Erasmus Darwin, particularly if CD undertakes to fill up its gaps. He thinks ED’s reputation is increasing.

Summary

Likes CD’s memoir of his grandfather and offers to publish 1000 copies at his own risk, giving half the profits to CD.

Summary

Though not sanguine about sale [of Erasmus Darwin] it seems fair that if over 1500 copies are sold he should receive two-thirds profit. If JM does not agree, he would prefer publishing on commission or asking Macmillan if they will give him larger profits.

Summary

Letter of introduction for R. B. Litchfield.

Summary

Thanks for two German letters about translations, which he has answered. The enclosed one contains a proposal for CD’s correspondent to bring out a translation of a very successful German book, and must be answered by the correspondent.

Summary

Asks JM to provide Quarterly Journal of Science with five woodcuts from Climbing plants to illustrate an article, based on that work, by Francis Darwin [see 12462].

Summary

Asks John Murray to allow R. F. Charles to quote Journal of researches passages in a school text-book [Relfe Brothers model reading-books … in prose and verse (1880–3)].

Summary

Asks advice on size of printing for Movement in plants. Expects it to sell a few copies for some years. Asks price of paper and of printing of 250 copies. Sends instructions for the index.

Summary

Appreciates what Murray and the printer are doing to rectify the error [transposition of pages of text in "Geology"]. But if the responsible person will be fined heavily, CD would want to "make some present".

Summary

Asks again how great a hurry there is for new edition [of Origin, 3d ed.]. Corrections will enlarge volume by a dozen or twenty pages, plus a short historical sketch. Would like "With Corrections" in title.

Summary

Sent MS [of second part of Journal of researches] to William Clowes [printer] on the 7th and has had only three sheets for correction. Asks JM to see to it that Messrs Clowes send a sheet a day, as CD’s health is uncertain, and he cannot do more at last moment if sheets accumulate.

Summary

Encloses signed receipt for promissory note for £150 from John Murray. Hopes to have pleasure of meeting him soon. Is particularly obliged for promise of information on success of volume.

Summary

Delighted with JM’s suggestions. Asks JM to send sheets to Lyell.