From E. B. Aveling   12 October 1880

Dear Sir,

Many months ago I ventured to send you the earlier numbers of a series of articles on your works. Of these you were good enough to express your approval.¹ The Magazine wherein they appeared came to an untimely end and I have since its decease rewritten the articles & published them together with many others, their successors in the National Reformer.² The works hitherto dealt with are the Voyage, Volcanic Islands, Geology of S. America, Orchids, Climbing Plants, Insectivorous Plants. I purpose after a study of the Forms of Flowers & Cross & self-fertⁿ. dealing with the Cirripedia & finally with the series commencing with the Origin & ending at present with the Emotions.³

My friends M^rs. Annie Besant and Charles Bradlaugh, M.P. contemplate publishing under the title of the International Library of Science & Freethought a series of works either by great scientific and freethinking men or upon their labors. The first of the series will be a translation of D^r L. Büchner’s “An dem Geistes leben der Thiere” by M^rs. Besant.⁴ To this translatⁿ. Dr. Büchner has given full assent. A translatⁿ. of some work from the pen of Ernst Häckel by myself is also designed⁵ and other arrangements in regard to French & Italian works are pending. We desire to make the second volume of the series my work upon your writings and teachings.⁶ To you, Sir, therefore I again write to know if such a plan will meet with your approval and have the distinct advantage of your personal sanction. We desire from you as from D^r. Büchner and Professor Häckel the illustrious support of your consent. As it is long since I last wrote, I remind you that the volume we desire to produce is designed (1) to give students of your writings a condensed analysis thereof (2) to give those who have not time to read your productions a brief account of your discoveries and ideas.

Further I purpose, again subject to your approval, to honor my work and myself by dedicating the former to you. If you approve of this my wish & of the general plan of our second publicatⁿ., I need hardly say to you how honored we should be were you to see fit to give us the immense support of a few words stating that approval. This would without doubt aid us very greatly in our endeavor to reach large numbers of those who are yet but little acquainted with the thought-work of the 19th century, work with which your name must be for ever associated so closely. I forward herewith a little pamphlet of D^r. Büchner’s already translated into English by M^rs. Besant⁷ & if it will not be troubling you too greatly I should be very glad to send to you the proof-sheets of my work as they are issued.

With the hope that the help of your approval may be ours | I am | yours faithfully | Edward B. Aveling | D.Sc.Lond.