WCP2278

Savile Club.

15. Savile Row. W.

Dec. 20[?] [18]71

Mr A. R. Wallace

My dear Sir

I beg to call your attention to the accompanying circular¹ which will partially explain itself. The enterprise is now matured[?] in its international relations and the Series will be reproduced in Paris and in Leipsic [Leipzig]. We want a little book from you on some aspect of Natural History and will give you an extensive circulation in four of the leading countries of the world. [2] — we will also give you the highest rates of payment in all. The authors in this series will get 20 per cent on the published price in this country with payment in advance on the first thousand. They will receive 10 p.c. from America semi-annual payment: 7^1/2 p.c. from France and the same from Germany. The books of Bagehot,² Smith,³ Huxley⁴ and Carpenter⁵ will be ready in Spring and we hope to commence[?] the series in March and to issue then monthly till July & then resume in November. [3] Huxley, Tyndall⁶ and Spencer⁷ are a committee to direct upon the character[?] of the works in future for this country. There is also a German committee of which Virchow⁸ is a member & a French Committee of which Claude Bernard⁹ is a member to judge of the French contributions. By these precautions it is designed to maintain the high character of the Series.

Sir John Lubbock¹⁰ yesterday suggested to me that you ought to give us a volume on the "Habits of Animals" [4] This would of course be very interesting, but[?] you would know better what aspect[?] of Natural History to choose[?] as[?] the subject of a popular monograph. May I hope that you will be interested in our undertaking and do something for us if practicable.¹¹ I sail for New York on the 30^th and would be glad to hear from or see you if you are favourably disposed to the undertaking.

Yours very truly | E. L. Youmans [signature]¹²