My Dear Sir—

Our Excellent friend Doctor Gray sent me your note to him of March 11^th. and added “you drop Darwin a line—it will be both well and pleasant, giving your address.”¹

Assuming this to be a sufficient introduction, I will say that the publishing house is Orange Judd & Company, 245 Broadway. Besides publishing the most extensively circulated popular Agricultural Journal in the country, they are also the largest publishers of Agricultural books. My position with them is that of managing editor of the paper & general adviser with respect to books—

Although your book is a little out of the line of Agricultural works proper I had a strong desire that our house should republish it and had talked with the firm about making an arrangement with you through Gray.² Soon after, Gray happened along and proposed the same thing himself. There was some delay in deciding, as I was obliged to run the book through to be able to assure them that it was not likely to upset the whole social fabric—for those who never read a word of your writings sometimes have odd notions about them. When it was concluded to reprint it was thought best to push it as rapidly as possible & we found that we could save time by transferring the cuts & re-engraving them here— We find it very desirable to not have odd sizes among our books, & yours is made of one of our standard sizes, a little smaller page. This involved changing the figures of the index—but I think it was accurately done— Though the volumes have not such a sumptuous air as the English they are very neat and I think you will not be displeased with them. They will sell at $6—while the imported is $14—

As to its sale, it is not easy to predict— The class of readers who are able to appreciate such a work is not proportionately so large with us as with you— The present work will not have the benefit of the abuse that fell to the Origin of Species—but I think that every one who has that would want this. I much hope it will be successful as I was mainly instrumental in its publication, as well as for the desire that something may accrue to you— I send some copies of our paper, the Agriculturist, that you may see something of what we are doing— You will find in the May Number—an illustrated notice of your work—³ You will perhaps regard it as rather undignified— if you do, you must consider the very popular character of the Journal—and that knowing my readers I presented it in a way most likely to interest them. Today I got the sheets of reprint from Gray and your M.S. corrections. As both volumes were printed these have to go in on a page or two of corrigenda.⁴ Should another edition be called for—they, with others, may be worked into the pages.

If you would care for it I should be pleased to continue to send the Agriculturist to you— It is the medium through which a large number of readers may be reached, and if you have occasion, as I see you do at home—to ask for information or observations on any particular points, I should be very glad to make your requests known—

Aside from an editorial interest in the matter, from a scientific point of view, I am delighted that we bring out your work— I have only read it, but intend to study it— Pangenesis makes one hold his breath.⁵ My friends think me Darwin mad—

I had no idea of making so long a letter & probably shall not have occasion to inflict you at such length again—

Allow me to present my sincere regards, and at the same time thank you for the instruction & pleasure your writings have given me—

Yours | George Thurber

245 Broadway. | New York.

Apr— 20^th.

I did not send the foregoing as I wished it to go by the same steamer with the book—which was delayed a little at the binders. We shall try to have the work well reviewed— Gray will see to having notices in Sillimans Journal & Sprague will review it in the Atlantic.⁶ I met a few evenings ago the editor of the North American Review at the Dickens dinner, & he had already read the English edition & was full of it.⁷ The book & papers will go by this weeks steam. If I can be of any service to you here please command me

G. T.