WCP3369

[1]

The Dell, Grays, Essex

March 26th, 1876

Dear Mr. Craik¹,

The Final arrangement of the agreement can remain as you propose, though the only thing to be settled seems to be the publishing price.

You are in error about my estimate. I never gave 700 pp. except perhaps as a guess, at a very early stage of the matter. I have now before me my detailed estimate which I showed Mr. Macmillan when we made our final arrangement. It is;—

1st vol. 429 pp.

2nd vol. 415 pp.

This, allowing for blank pages &c, is not so very far out, & to the 2nd vol. I have found it necessary [2] to add a concluding chapter, which is a great finish to the book.

Now as to the binding. The cover with Monogram is on the whole neat & effective,— but there is an object want of symmetry in the monogram (letter R) which had I seen a drawing as promised me by Mr. Macmillan², I could have amended. However, on the whole I am satisfied with it.

The back however I consider very badly arranged. Looking my book shelves I cannot see a single book lettered in so sprawling & ineffective ^a manner.

The four first lines want to be brought much closer together. [3] Then a short line,— and my name. Wallace (without the christian names I sh[oul]^d prefer.) Vol. I. brought down to the centre, so as to form a proper division & balance.

As to colour I should myself much prefer a quite dark green,—as showing off the gold lettering to far more advantage. I think the colour of the "Museum Universe" would look very handsome in a large book & with the rough cloth, & if Mr. Macmillan does not seriously object, I should like that colour or something very near it.

Lastly, the covers sent me [4] are decidedly not stout enough for so large & heavy a book. The corners of the copy sent are much crushed coming through the post. A little more substance would not I presume add to expense to any important extent.

In the final binding, please see that the plates and maps are all accurately inserted at the pages ^and facing ^as indicated in the Direction to binder given in the bit of illustrations to each volume.

Yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

G. L. Craik Esq.