284 Edward Livingston Youmans. 



LONDON, October 7, 1871. 



Things are getting thick and exciting. I can't leave yet, 

 and know no more when I shall return than I did at first. 

 I am here to do a certain work, and do it I shall. 



Henry S. King & Co., a new concern, are to be the 

 London publishers of the series. They will drive it with 

 energy, and are bound to make a success. The only ap- 

 parent remaining difficulty is to transfer authors to the new 

 house. Several are sure, some doubtful, and there are four 

 hopeless, but their places can be supplied. It is infinitely 

 fortunate that Mr. Appleton has been here to advise with, 

 decide, and close matters on the spot. . . . 



As to my returning, don't think about it. I am bound 

 to this enterprise, and, much as I want to go, I shall be 

 guided absolutely by its requirements. I'm the man to do 

 the work ; nobody else can. If the thing shapes as it now 

 promises I shall go to Berlin. Bancroft knows all about 

 the project, and told Mr. Appleton he wanted me to come 

 by all means. The learned men of Germany are soon to 

 be gathered there, and B. knows them. My hopes are 

 therefore that I shall be detained a month or six weeks 

 longer, so good-bye for the present. 



LONDON, October 21, 1871. 



We know the lessons of caution pretty well that nothing 

 is sure till realized but caution may become a disease, and 

 then we can realize and still not feel sure. My project is 

 now ascertain as any human thing contingent upon human 

 conditions can be. I had a hope in this direction when I 

 left you, but the result immensely transcends it. All the 

 arrangements have been closed with Mr. King, and on the 

 most liberal basis. I am going to Berlin next week first, 

 to get some new authors for the series ; second, to get the 

 series republished ; third, to get Spencer republished in 

 German ; fourth, to get a German student for Spencer to 



