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Darwin Correspondence Project

From Ernst Krause1   6 November 1879

Berlin N.O. Friedenstrasse 10. II.

den 6.11.79.

Hochverehrter Herr!

Ich bin sehr erschreckt aus Ihrem soeben erhaltenen gütigen Schreiben zu ersehen, wie wenig correct sich Herr Alberts in der Angelegenheit mit Herrn Murray benommen hat.2 Herr Alberts schrieb mir in diesen Tagen, er denke das Lichdruckportrait in Deutschland herstellen zu lassen, da ihm Herr Murray einen Preis gemacht habe, der die Herstellungskosten um das Drei-oder Vierfache übersteige(?) und obendrein Vorausbezahlung verlange. Ich glaube wohl, dass ihn die letztere bei uns nicht übliche Bedingung ein Wenig in Harnisch gebracht hat, und in dieser Beziehung ist er wohl einigermassen zu entschuldigen. Mir war es völlig unbekannt, dass er die Bestellung bereits gemacht hatte und ich halte es für völlig selbstverständlich, dass er die bestellten Drucke auch verwendet und bezahlt. Ich will noch heute an ihn schreiben und anfragen, was das Alles bedeutet.

Für Ihren so freundlichen Brief an Herrn Reinwald sage ich Ihnen herzlichsten Dank, ich hoffe, dass dort damit alles im Reinen sein wird.3 Auch möchte ich Sie recht sehr bitten, Herrn Alberts nicht allzusehr zu zürnen; er wird sehr unglücklich sein, wenn er erfährt, Ihre Unzufriedenheit erregt zu haben, denn er giebt an Verehrung gegen Sie gewiss Niemandem in Deutschland etwas nach. In dieser Angelegenheit handelte es sich, wie mir scheint, um eine Unliebenswürdigkeit von Buchhhändler zu Buchhändler, aber freilich scheint Herr Alberts darin, wie ich schon aus der Angelegenheit mit Herrn Reinwald gesehen habe, recht ungeschickt zu sein in der Abwicklung solcher Geschäfte.

Herr Professor Häckel, der vorgestern hier in Berlin war, hat mir erzählt, wie sehr wohl er Sie vor einigen Wochen gesehen,4 und dies hat mich desto mehr mit Freude erfüllt, als ich leider bekennen muss, Ihnen viel Unruhe und Störung seit einem halben Jahre gemacht zu haben.

Ich zeichne, hochverehrter Herr | Ihr | von Herzen ergebenster | Ernst Krause

Footnotes

For a translation of this letter, see Appendix I.
See letter to Ernst Krause, 4 November 1879 and n. 1. CD had paid John Murray in advance for photographs of the frontispiece of Erasmus Darwin for the German edition; however, Karl Alberts had cancelled his order (see letter to Karl Alberts, 8 October 1879).
CD had sent Krause a copy of his letter to Charles-Ferdinand Reinwald regarding the French translation of Erasmus Darwin (see letter to C.-F. Reinwald, 29 October 1879). No French translation was published.
Ernst Haeckel had visited CD at Down House on 5 and 6 September 1879 (Emma Darwin’s diary (DAR 242)).

Translation

From Ernst Krause1   6 November 1879

Berlin N.O. Friedenstrasse 10. II.

6.11.79.

Most esteemed Sir!

I am very shocked to discover from your kind letter, which I received just now, with how little propriety Mr Alberts has behaved in the matter regarding Mr Murray.2 Mr Alberts wrote to me recently, telling me that he will have the autotype portrait produced in Germany because the price Mr Murray quoted him exceeded production costs by three or four times (?) and that he into the bargain demanded advance payment. Quite likely the latter demand, which is not customary here, has somewhat enraged him, and in this respect he may well be excused to some degree. I had absolutely no idea that he had already placed the order, and I take it entirely for granted that he will use and pay for the prints he ordered. I shall write to him by the end of the day and inquire what this is all about.

My most heartfelt thanks to you for your kind letter to Mr Reinwald, I hope that the whole matter is cleared up now.3 I should also like to beg you rather urgently not to be too angry with Mr Alberts; he will be quite miserable to learn that he was the cause of your displeasure, for he is second to none in Germany in his veneration of you. It is a matter, it seems to me, of an ungracious act from one publisher to another, but certainly Mr Alberts appears to be rather undiplomatic in handling such business, as I noticed from the matter with Mr Reinwald.

Professor Häckel, who was in Berlin the day before yesterday, told me how well he found you when he saw you some weeks ago,4 and this filled me with joy, all the more since I must unfortunately admit to having caused you much trouble and disturbance over the past six months.

I remain, most esteemed Sir | Yours | wholly devoted | Ernst Krause

Footnotes

For a transcription of this letter in its original German, see Transcript.
See letter to Ernst Krause, 4 November 1879 and n. 1. CD had paid John Murray in advance for photographs of the frontispiece of Erasmus Darwin for the German edition; however, Karl Alberts had cancelled his order (see letter to Karl Alberts, 8 October 1879).
CD had sent Krause a copy of his letter to Charles-Ferdinand Reinwald regarding the French translation of Erasmus Darwin (see letter to C.-F. Reinwald, 29 October 1879). No French translation was published.
Ernst Haeckel had visited CD at Down House on 5 and 6 September 1879 (Emma Darwin’s diary (DAR 242)).

Summary

Shocked by Karl Alberts’ behaviour in dealing with Murray. Will write to ask him what it means. Thanks for arranging matters with Reinwald.

Letter details

Letter no.
DCP-LETT-12295
From
Ernst Ludwig (Ernst) Krause
To
Charles Robert Darwin
Sent from
Berlin
Source of text
DAR 92: B46–7
Physical description
ALS 3pp (German)

Please cite as

Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 12295,” accessed on 29 March 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-12295.xml

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