My dear Sir

I thank you sincerely for your very obliging letter. I look at it as a very great honour that a naturalist whose name I have respected for so many years should be willing to undertake the translation of my book.² But Herr Schweizerbart, who published the Origin of Species applied to me some time ago, & as he had persuaded Prof. Victor Carus to make the translation, I have agreed to his proposal.³ The book, I am sorry to say, is very large, viz 2 vols. large 8^vo, with I suppose at least 500 pages in each vol.   Prof. Carus, though he has undertaken the translation informs me that he has much work on hand, & it is possible (though not probable) that when he hears (& I wrote to him on the subject yesterday) of the size of the book, & that several sheets will be printed immediately & sent to him, he may wish to give up the task.⁴ In that case nothing w^d give me higher satisfaction than that Schweizerbart sh^d arrange with you, if that be possible, for a translation; for I have often heard of the fame of your excellent translations.⁵ My present work I greatly fear is of much greater length than value. Its publication has been long delayed owing to ill-health from which I still suffer though in a less degree. The entire book will be published next November, & then I will do myself the pleasure of sending you a copy.⁶ Permit me to add that I have lately read with extreme interest the English translation of your Lectures on Man.⁷

With the most sincere respect & with my best thanks I remain my dear Sir | yours very faithfully | Charles Darwin

P.S. I should very much like to possess a photograph of you if you will send me one; & I enclose one of myself in case you w^d like to have it.—⁸