WCP2278

[1]

SAVILE CLUB,

15, SAVILE ROW. W.

Dec. 20 ’71

Mr A. R. Wallace

My dear Sir

I beg to call your attention to the accompanying circular which will partially explain itself. The enterprise is now [illeg.] in its international relations and the Series will be reproduced in Paris and in Leipsic [sic]. 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,¹ Smith,² Huxley³ and Carpenter⁴ will be ready in Spring and we hope to commence the series in March and to issue them monthly till July & then resume in November. [3] Huxley, Tyndall⁵ and Spencer⁶ are a committee to direct upon the character of the works in future for this country. There is also a German committee of which Virchow⁷ is a member & a French Committee of which Claude Bernard⁸ 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 Lubbock⁹ 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 [illeg.] 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. 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. Youmans¹⁰ [signature]