WCP131

[1]

Broadstone, Wimborne

March 1^st, 1908

My dear Will¹

Mr. Waugh (of Chapman & Hall) is anxious to have the proposed cheap Ed[ition]. of "My Life"— got ready at once, and asks me to get some one to do the reduction of the matter to from one third to one half its present quantity— ready for press. We have agreed on (I think) six chapters to be cut out entirely— making a reduction of nearly a third. The remainder will want [2] cutting down nearly to half. For doing this, carefully— he offered at first, £10. This I told him was too little, so he now offers £20 which I think is quite fair. Before offering it to the Casey’s— I write to offer it to you, if you can give up your evenings entirely to the works for the next 3 or 4 weeks (which will be quite enough).

What will be wanted will be as follows:—

They send you 2 copies of the book in sheets— one for the even the other the odd pages [3] as they must be ready for the printer, like MSS— on one side only. Each page may either be pasted into a sheet of paper same size, or the back boldly crossed out with thick blue pencil or brush so as to avoid all confusion with the front, in which some pages will also be nearly all crossed out— but must be done in ink— neatly.

As a general idea of what is to be or can be omitted.— I have suggested, (& Mr. W.[augh] agrees)— as follows: [4] A large amount of the first 5 volumes chapters— leaving what seems most interesting to the "general reader"— and what will either read well as it will stand, or ^will require only a few words or sentences to correct. These you must give on a MSS. leaf— and I will correct or modify if necessary.

All my early writings, & almost all my letters— may be omitted.

Also all the articles or parts or them, given, and also the [5] letters from various scientific men— to be omitted.

The Chap[te]^rs to be omitted entirely are those on the Amazon & Malay Arch[ipelag]^o.— (a summary of these & anything new may be kept.)

The American Tour, (3 chapters)[.] Perhaps a 3-4 page summary[.] One of the Spiritualism Chapters (about Mivart & Romance) and the Addendum Chapter on (Excursions).

The present 2 vol[ume]s. contain 852 pp. The new one must be from 300 to 350 ^{(of these pages)} pages— or even 400 at the outside— as the book is to be 1 vol. smaller 6/-[.] [6] I think you can do it as well as any one— you ought to do it better. Can you give the time and attention continuously now, to do it. It will really be an easy way of earning £20.

Reply as soon as you can.

Your affect[ionate]— Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

If you cannot do it send this letter back, as it save me all the same explanation over again to the Caseys.

A.R.W. [signature]