Dear Sir,

On receipt of your kind letter of 20^th February last, the last sheets (chapter XXI & Index) had not reached me, and thinking that some delay of the post might have been the cause, I delayed a few days to answer to your letter; till all hopes of receiving the parcel might have been given up.¹ I did well after all, for it came to its destination, at last. A mistake of the person to whom the postman gave it, thinking it was for my mother who is now at Chambery,² posted it to her while I was absent; now it is come back and all is right and complete, except what comes after page 472 of the Index, and what I see on the volume, is but a quarter of a sheet.

I am happy to inform you that I have finished the translation, and began the Index; and am ready to send it to Paris as soon as M^r. Reinwald, who intends to publish it as quick as possible, will be reestablished in his house.³ I hope also that the Origin may be soon finished.⁴

All the corrections you have sent to me have been carefully inserted in their respective places, and consequently the Postscript will be useless. If you have further corrections to make, I shall be happy to receive them.

Hoping that this will find you in good health, remember me kindly to M^rs. Darwin and your amiable family and believe me | Dear Sir your’s most respectfully | J. J. Moulinié