Date: 1893
Source: ru:PSS/v55
Source: CW vol 55

To Anya

I am sending today, under mother's name, two notebooks of "markets." These are the first two chapters, approximately around 1/4 or 1/5 of the entire work. There are a total of eight chapters; I am now finishing the preparation of the 3rd chapter, so that in January, most likely, everything will be completed, as Nadya is transcribing quite quickly, as I write. Despite the fact that I am making the most thorough reductions against the first rough draft, the size is still turning out to be considerable. In the first two chapters, according to my calculation, there are about 270,000 letters, i.e., counting a printed sheet at 33,000 letters, about 81/2 printed sheets. In the whole book, there will, therefore, be about 35-40 printed sheets - I still hope not to exceed 35 sheets, for even this will make a very thick volume (560 pages). In any case, it is desirable in the publication to achieve a large format and medium print, so that there are about 2,400 letters per page and more than 33,000 letters per sheet - this is more convenient because then there will be fewer pages.

Regarding the publication itself, it seems we have to rely on finding a publisher. Perhaps you will happen to be in St. Petersburg, then you can consult with ecrivain. Could Mrs. M. Vodovozova undertake to publish the book? I do not count on independent publication because I consider the collection to have failed, although I have no news yet either about it or about the translation! If, contrary to expectations, this turns out not to be the case, then independent publication is possible, in which case it is only necessary to find a special proofreader, an intelligent one, pay him what is due, and make it a condition that each proof sheet be sent immediately.

Printing could (and should) begin now (it should because otherwise it will not come out by spring); further chapters can be sent as they are ready, and I can promise that I will not delay. If a publisher is found, a precise contract must be concluded with them, and it would be highly desirable to make the sending of proof sheets an essential condition of printing, for example, errors in tables are very difficult for anyone other than the author to notice; then there may be corrections and additions, etc. Ecrivain wrote to me in the spring that it might be possible to print parts in "Scientific Review" or in another journal. Of course, I am not against this, but it is doubtful that any journal would take such a large piece - it would be too unusual. It is more likely that they would take one or two chapters for publication. The second chapter, for example, and the first as well, form a completely self-contained whole. With these ends in view, we hastened to send the ready part immediately. But if it is given to a journal, it is necessary to agree precisely on the time of publication and to stipulate the author's right to print the entire book now, without waiting for the completion of the article in the journal.

I am sending the preface of the book not for printing (it will probably have to be redone or supplemented over time), but to give an idea of the plan of the entire book.

I will send the table of contents further along with each chapter. If it turns out that such a detailed table of contents is unnecessary (although, in my opinion, detailed tables of contents are much more convenient for the reader), then it can be shortened, leaving only the names of the paragraphs*. Incidentally, these paragraph headings should be set in the book not in bold or italics (this is too solemn), but on the contrary, in the smallest type. This will take up less space and will better correspond to the purpose of these headings. Regarding the tables, I also think that it would be most convenient to set them in small type, so that they take up as little space as possible.

I feel that all these details may easily turn out to be unnecessary, but at least from my side, let everything be done. It is quite likely that

* The table of contents in the book "The Development of Capitalism in Russia" was not shortened. Ed.