
I return you today the proof in pages I have considered it all very carefully and am quite settled as to the
rearrangement of pages, pictures &c. please leave them as I have put them—I
have not made much change—the burial scenes must
face different pages as they will only be known as described in "List of
Illustrations" by that fact—It would not do to print on back of photo-intaglio
so I have added a leaf—the photo-intaglio will face title
page—the birth-house will
face opening of chap I (p. 13)—the "remote" and "immediate"
"ancestry" pages I have moved as you will see—Van Velsor burial hill picture will face p. 15, and W. burial hill picture
p. 17—Portrait
of father will face p. 26 (mention of his death)—every
thing else is left as you put it. I want portrait of Mother
to face mention of her death (towards end of chap I)—then the photograph or
phototype of W. W. in 1880 might face the opening of chap
ii (W. W. in 1880)—and fac-simile of writing should face page in that chap.
where handwriting is mentioned. You told me McKay could get the pictures printed in Phila at $1.80 or $2
p.m. have a letter from McK. in which he says
Sherman & Co would charge me $20. p.m. for three,
however, no matter, they are ordered at De Vinnes N.Y. and will be done immediately.
I like all your emendations, additions, &c so far (on the whole) very much, &
can see that you are materially improving the book, for wh I feel very grateful—But dear Walt be very careful like a good fellow with chap iii of part ii—whatever you dodont don't
slash it up if you make material changes send me the M.S. with proofs that I may see
exactly what they are and consider them—don't fail me in this—that chap
is the pivot on which the Book turns