264 Edward Livingston Youmans. 



volumes perfect ; can I exchange them for Spencer's works, 

 which I have long wanted but am unable to buy ? " 



There are many such encouraging symptoms which come 

 to my observation. The sales are slow, but I still have 

 strong hope that they may be quickened. I am almost 

 ashamed to refer to this again. It has been my purpose ; 

 I have talked about it so much, and so little has come of it, 

 but I have not been favourably situated to do anything. 

 The baulk of the Journal was a very severe thing for me, 

 but there have been other things worse than that which 

 have helped to break me up things which cannot be ex- 

 plained and so I have done but little. I have, however, 

 made a loose semi-arrangement with the Appletons to give 

 attention to some of their books. I have devoted myself 

 for weeks to Huxley's and Lubbock's books, and the result 

 is very satisfactory to the publishers. They were doubtful 

 about the policy of getting Lubbock's book at all, yet the 

 second edition is very nearly gone. 



They thought a thousand would answer for Huxley a 

 year. It was not published until late in October, and has 

 gone to the third thousand already. The arrangement is a 

 precarious one, as they want much done for small pay ; but 

 before it terminates I mean to get at your books and stir 

 up the public about them. 



Recurring to the dedication, you say we may have won- 

 dered why the 'step you propose was not taken before. I 

 certainly think not. I believe there is no feeling that any- 

 thing of the kind is due, and I hope you will dismiss from 

 your thoughts all shadow of anxiety in the matter. If we 

 have done something, we have sufficiently bragged about 

 it and are immensely satisfied. 



Could you have come to this country and judged of 

 things for yourself, I should have nothing to say ; but, 

 knowing them as I do, I take the liberty of giving you my 

 opinion that it would be an unwise thing. 



Ever and truly yours, E. L. YOUMANS. 



