Agrees to price Insectivorous plants at 14s.

Has CD quoted a price for stereotype plates to D. Appleton?

Mentioned to Appleton only that stereotypes [for Insectivorous plants] would be provided for "a little above cost price". Glad the price of the book will be 14s. He likes making money, but cares more for wider distribution of his books. Is uneasy about sale of Insectivorous plants.

CD’s pessimistic view [of prospective sale of Insectivorous plants] is to blame for the small printing. Murray’s printed only 1250 copies and sold 1700. A thousand more have been ordered.

Very glad about sales [of Insectivorous plants]. CD had hard work to persuade Murray to increase printing to 1250 copies, but owns he thought that number would last for eternity. U. S. publication and French, German, and Russian translations in the offing.

The second printing of 1000 copies [of Insectivorous plants] has sold out. Will print 750 more [3000 in all]. Mudie’s Library and Simpkin & Co. have ordered more copies.

Sends CD specimen pages, with two different type spacings, for Climbing plants.

RC will confer with printer about type, etc., for reprint of Variation.

Only 250 copies remain of [2d ed. of] Descent – will print 1000 more for annual sale.

Expression does not move.

Murray is willing to make same arrangement with D. Appleton for Climbing plants as for Insectivorous plants.

There will be no difficulty about corrections for reprint of Descent, providing new matter fills same space as old.

Giovanni Canestrini should be reminded that before any plates for another of CD’s books can be sent, payment must be made for those already sent.

Sends papers concerned with [copyright?] registration for French and German editions [of Insectivorous plants].

Encloses specimens of type for Variation [2d ed.].

Thinks Climbing plants [2d ed.] had better be kept in type; 1500 copies to be printed, with stereotypes to be made for Appleton.

It would be an advantage to start printing vol. 1 of Variation [2d ed.] at once, if CD can release it. Knotty problem: the number of copies to be printed.

The two volumes of Variation [2d ed.] are unequal in size. Can CD reduce vol. 2 and increase vol. 1?

Does CD wish to publish Climbing plants [2d ed.] at once?

On publishing details of Variation [2d ed.].

CD mortified and annoyed to hear that RC has complained to Messrs Clowes of the extra expense because proofs for Climbing plants were put on wider paper at CD’s request.

Apologises for the annoyance caused about the size of proof paper. Clears up misunderstanding. As for Climbing plants, RC thinks no less than 1500 copies of a book by CD should be printed.

Thanks RC for his kind note. It was only Climbing plants for which he wanted the proofs to have wide margins. Wishes he understood more about printing. It would be a great convenience to authors if exterior margins of proofs were broad.

Since the new edition of Variation will be stereotyped, Murray’s will always have means to provide plates if they are wanted in America.

Explains their way of sending proofs for authors who want wide margins for corrections.

Thinks it better to keep Climbing plants for the annual trade sale.

Hopes printing of Variation [2d ed.] is going satisfactorily.

Climbing plants [2d ed.] is finished.

Fears Variation [2d ed.] will not be ready for Murray’s annual sale unless printer sends proof more quickly. Arrangements with Italian publishers.

Canestrini still owes £10 from 1869 for electros of 1st edition [of Variation].

RC has urged Clowes on with printing of Variation [2d ed.],

but with Climbing plants [2d ed.] ready, it need not be done before the annual sale.