Summary

Finds style [of Origin] incredibly bad; corrections are very heavy. Supposes it was due to his attention being fixed on general lines of argument and not on detail. Wishes to share expense of corrections.

Summary

On title of Origin, suggests omitting word "Varieties" altogether if JM does not object. Last proofs corrected, but revises still to do.

Summary

Had forgotten that Journal [of researches] was stereotyped. Not worth while now to improve style. Wants to make a few corrections, if possible, on p. 378.

Summary

Has not yet obtained information for the most important correction for Journal of researches.

Has told P. T. A. Talandier that JM will declare that CD has full authority to give him right and profit of translation of Origin. Unless he hears by return, CD assumes JM does not object.

Summary

Has not yet read Huxley’s review of Origin in Westminster Review [Apr 1860].

F. J. Pictet has published an excellent review, though opposed to CD, in Bibliothèque Universelle de Genève [Mar 1860].

Summary

Asks how Origin [2d ed.] is selling and whether a new edition is likely to be wanted "soon, ever, or never". Asks partly from curiosity, partly because of a break in his work, and the answer will decide what his next job will be.

Summary

Thanks JM for Quarterly Review [July 1860] in which he is "quizzed splendidly". The Bishop [Wilberforce] misrepresents him often, but clever men think they can write a review with very slight knowledge of the book.

Summary

Lyell tells CD Origin still sells "pretty well", which pleases and surprises him. If a new edition should be called for, he has a good many corrections and a historical preface for it.

Summary

Asks how soon he must send proofs [of Origin, 3d ed.] to printer. His corrections would not take more than three weeks. The longest job will be to glance over the endless reviews to guide him in his corrections.

Summary

G. B. Sowerby, Jr has done the drawings for Orchids woodcuts. Calls JM’s attention to the fact that a first-rate cutter must be employed.

Summary

Superb, but exaggerated, review [of Orchids, by M. J. Berkeley] in London Review [& wkly J. Polit. 4 (1862): 553–4]. Asa Gray thinks almost as highly. "I have not been a fool, as I thought I was, to publish." The Athenæum review will hinder sales greatly.

Summary

The new title is fixed. Thanks for clean sheets. As to number of copies, now that JM proposes 1500, CD is frightened.

Summary

CD writes about stereotypes for German and Russian editions of Variation.

Summary

Asks whether JM is interested in publishing A. E. Brehm, Illustrirtes Thierleben [4 vols. (1864–7)], which has had immense sale on the continent.

Is making good progress with proofs [of Variation].

Summary

Thanks for "pleasant remittance" of £250 for 4th edition of Origin.

Glad to see that Orchids sells a little.

Hopes Variation will be more successful.

Summary

Asks JM to send Variation to G. Boccardo in Italy.

Sends title (suggested by Lyell) for translation of Fritz Müller’s Für Darwin (which Dallas is translating). CD does not wish to go to great expense in advertising it.

Summary

Asks JM to grant permission for a French translation of his "Naturalist’s voyage" [Journal of researches].

Summary

Suggests best form of lettering for spine of Müller’s Facts and arguments for Darwin.

Summary

Wishes JM’s new periodical [the Academy] could have been a weekly so it might kill the Athenæum by a lingering death.

Has drafted a piece [about Descent] but is not pleased with it.

Summary

Would like to hear results of JM’s November booksale.