WCP6575

[1]

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Dorset.

March 27th 1913

Dear Mr Marchant¹

I received the 12 books yesterday afternoon just in time to send one to my Darjeeling correspondent. I notice that the "List of Books" is not in. I hope you have arranged to have it in later impressions either at back of Title page or of short title, or on the flyleaf at end of book. Mere names of the books will do.

[2] I also notice that your Editor’s note is omitted, for the purpose, I presume, of issuing it as an work quite independent of the "Tracts for the Times" series,² which I am rather glad of. The "get up" is very good, & we are all much pleased with it. The inner portrait is beautifully printed & the lights shades so improved as to look like a different picture, but the very boldness of that on the cover will make it show better on a bookstall.

[3] Now as to other matters. I cannot undertake any other articles, till my "Labour" book³ is finished, which I see more need for everyday. Any how I would not write on so thorny & uncongenial a subject as "Eugenics" for less than 5 times what the "Contemporary"⁴ offers. My opinion of it is sufficiently shown by what I have said in my "Morals &c" book,⁵ & there I shall leave it. The whole thing is to me fundamentally immoral, as well as fallacious.

Now for another and even more delicate question; as to the proposed "Darwin & [4] Wallace" book. What both I and Mr Murray⁶ feel is, that such a book, to succeed well, should have the two qualities — (1) a thorough acquaintance with the whole matter treated, and (2) a bright & popular style. At present, neither Mr Murray nor myself have read any of your writings. Will you kindly send me a copy of what you consider your best written book. I hope it is that about Dr Barnado.⁷ As to the other quality — I really know no one who knows my own books so well as you do. But you would have to acquaint yourself as well with all Darwin’s works, as well as ^{and also} with those of [5]⁸ some of his more important Critics, especially of those of the "Mutationists"& the "Mendelians".⁹ Both difficulties I hope may be overcome, by associating my name in some way with yours, without my doing any of the actual writing. It may shorten & facilitate matters if you now see Mr Murray again,& show him the Outline of the subjects to be treated, with any suggestions of your own. Also show him this [6] letter (the last part) and let him, if he thinks well of it, determine what the size of the book should be. Of course there must be the most complete openness between us three, and the name of "Murray" as publisher is itself worth obtaining.

Yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]