My dear Sir

I am much obliged for yr long & interesting letter.¹ Pray add my name to those to whom the annual report is to be sent; for I feel it an honour to assist even in so humble a way.² I admire yr zeal in so good a cause, & I think you are quite right to take every precaution that you may not be unjustly accused of merely seeking some good for yourself. What enormous labour the scheme must have cost you; & this is the one point which I cannot help regretting, for it must interfere with y^r valuable original researches. But do not let it thus interfere after y^r plan is once well started.

With every good wish believe me | yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin

My health has been very bad of late & for the last six weeks I have been able to do hardly anything.