WCP4947

[1]

21^st Dec[ember] [189]7

Alfred Russel Wallace Esq.

Dear Sir,

We are quite prepared to toy the two books on the terms you name and enclose the following agreement forms:

Vaccination: One signed by ourselves, for your retention (stamped at Somerset House);

Wonderful Century: two, both signed for you by ourselves, the stamped one for your retention, the other for your signature & return to us,

We quite understand the point about the "thirteenth copy", & readily waive our view. We think there is as much to be said one way as the other. The rights of translation, in the case of a book like this, we agree with you should also go to you, so far as the benefit is concerned. In cases where our agents, whom we have to pay, work for such sales, the matter is different. The amount of the [2] royalty is always a moot point, & publishers know or leave so little as authors how much they can afford to pay. However, we shall be very pleased to pay the 20%, after the first 500 copies. The advertisements of the book will have to be very extensive, there is no doubt. We quite think we shall get a considerable sale for it; and mean to do our best to achieve this end. It is certain that what you humorously call "the pill" will to some extent detract from the popularity of the book; but it ought to go well in spite of that.

We are very pleased to hear that you hope to be ready with the MS. by about 1^st. March. We will run the printing thro[ough] as quickly as possible & come out as early as we can.

Yours very truly | Swan Sonnenschein & Co. Ltd. [signature]