Letter to Anna Ulyanova, February 17 or 18, 1909

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Dear Anyuta,

I am sending the corrections to the proofs I received today. I have received: (a) page proofs for pages 97–112; ((}) galley proofs 81–97 (pp. 302–364 of the manuscript), not made up.

But between the first and the second there is something missing; the made-up pages end at page 274 of the manuscript (there are also pp. 274a, 274e) and the galleys begin at page 302. This means that about 27 pages of the manuscript have been left out! Does this not mean that a whole signature is missing? Could it have fallen out of the parcel? Or perhaps they forgot to send it or give it to you from the printer’s? Please send me the proofs of the missing pages (pp. 274–302 of the MS) and, under all circumstances, take steps to ensure that they are not left out when the book is made up and printed. The missing part is most important for me and for my book.

Here is a description of the omission that is more accurate, according to the manuscript. The last words of the last made-up page, number 112, are “These active forces must”. In the manuscript this will be page 274, or 274a or 274b. The gap comes after these words. The missing part is from page 274a to page 302, to the words “Let us continue the quotation from Bazarov” inclusive, that is, to the third line from the top inclusive. That is the exact size of the gap.

There is one other mistake, or rather not a mistake but something in the galleys that may lead to a mistake when they are made up into pages; seventeen lines from the bottom of galley No. 88, beginning from “rejieii” (page 14 of the 4th German edition), etc. (page 338 of the manuscript) must be transferred to the foot of galley No. 89.

In other words the words. “Religious experience” (line 18 from the bottom of galley No. 88, line 6 from the top of page 334 of the manuscript) are followed by “reneM” (p. 14, etc.), i.e., page 338, line 7 from the top. This must be watched carefully to make sure that there is no mistake when the pages are made up.

Please give the last proofs (and your correspondence with me) to someone who knows languages and pay him. Let Mitya take one hundred rubles, go to the “writer” and hire either the writer himself, or somebody he recommends for the work, to read the final proofs and get in touch with me. This must be done because you now have no time for proofs, of course, and will only worry yourself to death. Will you please do as I ask immediately.

Yesterday I wrote to you and Manyasha did, too. Give Mother many kisses. “Un peu mieux” is very indefinite.... Write.

All the best,

Yours,

V. U.

P.S. Please send me the part that already has been printed immediately; I will make a list of the misprints. This is very important because we shall be able to correct some things even after the book has been printed.