WCP4092

[1]

Nov. 17^th. 73¹

Dear Wallace

Bates² has forwarded to me your note,³ & I shall be very glad if you will undertake the work; but I had better explain in detail what I want, as this may make all the difference in your being willing to undertake it. The job is not so much stiff as ^{dull &} tedious. I do not want criticisms, for I ^{grieve to} know how much we differ on many points; & in my opinion each man must publish the conclusions at which he has arrived ^{& in which he still believes} whether or not these are sound. I am in the middle of ^other work⁴ & a long interruption w[oul]^{d be a serious evil}; break my heart —; ^{so that when I called on Bates} I was enquiring everywhere [2 words struck through, illeg.] a man ^{for a} literary man who could do what I want, & ^{I believe} I have discovered ^one, but it would be incomparably [2] better ^{for me if you want it}, even for you ^{This is the first time I ever thought of soliciting such aid.} [1 sentence struck through, illeg.].

I shall have to modify, & erase facts ^portions & to add others ^{Into an Edition}. Now I wish to write these ^out without ^{the least of} care of style, attending ^attending only to the sense, & to have [2 words struck through, illeg.] English ^{the words & arrangement of the sentences} corrected; for without much care I ^always write very badly. — I would have all the ^larger corrections well copied out. The whole book, would however, have to be gone through on account of [1 sentence struck through, illeg.] little trifling corrections, ^{here & there marked} which would all require some little consideration in regard to style ^{& in regard to any large alteration. What comes before & after}. ^{Any faulty sent I sh[oul]d of course be glad to have any} old ^{faulty sentences amended.5} The [1 word struck through, illeg.] numerical references to the foot-notes ^{& woodcuts} w[oul]^d require correcting ^{as new notes will be added}; & if the [3] pages get changed, the Headings of the pages. —

I would just glance over the ^any corrections f to ^the very large additions, & then send the whole to press, & I sh[oul]^d. like ^wish [1 word struck through, illeg.] not to see the proof sheets again, but have them corrected for me. I apprehend there would ^only rarely [2 words struck through, illeg.] be occasion for a second proofs. — Until I have looked through my notes & references I have no idea how bulky my corrections would will be; but I hope & think not very bulky[.]

With respect to remuneration. I c[oul]^d send you Vol. I when the corrections are copied ⁱⁿ, & you could perhaps judge for what sum it would be worth ^your while to undertake [3 words struck through, illeg.] ^the above specified ^work including ^the corrections ^of the proofs; & then you could easily afterwards judge whether the 2^[n]d vol had cost you more ^{or less} time. — Or if you there is another [4] plan, if you prefer it. I understand from Bates that you [1 word struck through, illeg.] ^lately undertook a very tough job in looking over them examination papers,⁶ & you will probably remember how long a time this takes you & how much labour it was ^{has cost you!}; & you could [1 word struck through, illeg.] keep a record of the time spent over my work & charge me according to the same scale.

I think that [1 word struck through, illeg.] ^putting into shape, [3 words struck through, illeg.] ^of my [1 word struck through, illeg.] additions, if they prove very badly ^written, could take up most time.

I could order the proof-sheets, if you like it, to be sent you by the half-dozen or dozen, so as not to fritter ^away little bits of your time. — M^ss Clowe⁷ [1 word struck through, illeg.] ^print, as I have always found, very correctly. — We return home tomorrow & I shall set to work immediately ^{& I suppose the work will take me some weeks, as I must go on with improvement of the MS[?]. —} Will you kindly let me hear what you think of all that I have said, &

I remain | My dear Wallace, | Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin [signature]

P.S. Please keep this letter as a memorandum of what is wanted.