Translation.
Dear Friend,—Among some corrections which I have been making at the printer's, I have eliminated pages Nos.—— (I have forgotten the numbers). I asked to see the whole of the proofs, and they have sent me only those which were uncorrected. If I can get them immediately (the newly-corrected lot) you will doubtless have the whole set without delay.
In the preface they have taken out the two little mirrors: now one—the smaller—would be necessary, and sufficient to explain the laryngoscope.
As to the preface, I will see what I can add. It seems to me, if I am not mistaken, that Mr Ascherberg has the intention of adding an editorial preface to the work, with the idea of increasing the sale. That, I think, would be a mistake. Praise, if the book merits it, must come from without, unless one wishes to turn it into blame.
Send me, not those proofs which I have, but the corrected pages, including those in which I have corrected the accompaniments, and the whole shall be returned to you without delay. We shall be back again on the 18th (September), and if you care to come to me on the 19th we will prepare the index.—Bien à vous,
M. GARCIA.
"By the middle of October the work was complete and ready for the press. However, a delay occurred, in consequence of the necessity for waiting until an American edition had been printed and published in accordance with copyright requirements. The dear old master grew a trifle impatient, although he knew the cause:—
Translation.
Dear Friend,—Business having called me back to town, I paid you a visit at your house, but did not find you at home. No other cause led me to do this than the simple curiosity to know what has become of the 'Hints.' I suppose Mr Ascherberg is having them prepared for publication in America? If you have time, send me a line.—Mes amitiés!
M. GARCIA.