My dear Darwin

I congratulate you heartily on the success of your undertaking—for yours it is totally & entirely—

Gladstone’s note is very good & much to his credit.¹

It convinces me that if my first inspiration had been followed out it would have been successful— But perhaps it is as well that the actual plan was adopted—² There would have been no restraining your ferocious spirit of domination hereafter if you had found a Prime Minister obeying your orders!

I hear that the “Butler” has been throwing the dirty water in his pantry about again—³

Of course he is quite mad at being ignored— and the best thing that can happen is that he should get madder

Do you recollect what Goethe wrote about a man who attacked him in this way?

I forget the first two lines but the last two run

“Hat doch der Wallfisch seine Laus Muss auch die meine haben”.⁴

Ever yours | T H H.