My dear Sir,

I think the best way to make matters clear is to send for your perusal the letter & documents I have just received from M^r Darwin—¹ If you wish it I can further acquaint you with M^r D’s pretensions when I come to Town next Saturday, but if you do not like to stir in the affair be kind enough to return the letters to me at S^t Albans where I am going on Friday— If you wish to see me on Saturday perhaps you will name an hour, & I shall be in Town by an early coach on that day— I don’t like to trouble you just at this anxious moment,² & after what you told me, a single word yes or no will be sufficient. The first leizure you have for such an opportunity I should like to speak with you on the subject of Cambridge Politics—³ As I shall probably have left Cambridge before the Post comes in on Friday, a letter directed here would miss me.—

Y^r ever obliged & faithful | J S Henslow

P.S. Be so kind as to understand that I s^d. be sorry if M^r Darwin’s letter to me were shown to a third person— I send it to you privately that you may see clearly the whole affair & judge accordingly as I feel satisfied that you would rather that I should take a straight course than any other— As there will be a council of the London University at 4 oClock on Saturday—unless that hour is particularly convenient to you perhaps you will not appoint it for an interview ⁴