My dear Sir

You could hardly have applied to a worse person than myself to speak to D^r. Buckland,² for I have a strong prejudice against him and I have no doubt he returns it with compound interest. But I have thought that he would at least believe my word and have accordingly just written him a long letter, telling him what you say and adding a good deal more from my personal knowledge of you and excellent opinion of your abilities. I have written very cautiously on my own part, so that I feel sure my recommendation can do you no harm, and I should be much pleased if it did you any good. I have told him that I have ventured to recommend you to call on him, and I think you had certainly better do so, whether he may or not choose to see you.— Under a coarse joking manner in my opinion he hides a worldly vain disposition; but he is decidedly very good-natured.—³ I can only again say that I heartily hope that you may be successful. I assure you I have expressed strongly my opinion of your high merits.

Believe me | Yours very sincerely | C. Darwin