WCP3405

[1]

Broadstone, Wimborne

Oct[obe]^r. 14th, 1907

Messrs.. Macmillan & Co.¹

Dear Sirs

The printers have set up the chapter of my "Mars" book in a form I do not like & which I never had before. I refer to making a separate Page of heading & Contents of each Chapter— and then leaving a blank page, with the Chapter beginning without any heading at all— for no reason whatever that I can see.

Of course in my Mss.[Manuscript] the headings & contents of chapters, were on [2] a separate page, as they always are, because an author cannot well write the "contents" before the chapter is written— but I never had before to tell you or the printer that this was not to be slavishly copied in ^the book.

I enclose the duplicate of first sheet of proof, so that you may see exactly what I mean. Please return it at once. [3] Not only is no book of mine set up like this, but I do not think I ever saw a book so set up, while the completely blank pages facing each chapter, so that the reader does not see what chapter he is reading, render it doubly objectionable.

Every one of my books hitherto has the "Chapter number" at the tops of the pages. That is omitted here.

Please return ^me the sheet, and give suitable instructions [4] to the printer.

Yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

P.S. I had rather have the "Contents" omitted at the heads of Chapters than as they now are, and as that will not involve alteration of the pages it had perhaps better be adopted. Chap[ter]. II. will then begin on p. 9. with the heading only— and the other chapters the same. The proofs sent me down to Chap. VII. all have the blank pages & " no heading at beginning of the Chapter.

A.R.W. [signature]