Dear Sir,

I received the memorial from Sir John Lubbock—quite safely—the evening before last.¹ It contains his valuable signature as also your own—and that of Sir Charles Lyell. When you see or write to these gentlemen, will you offer to them my very earnest thanks for their true goodness. And will you please receive the same yourself—with the addition of my deep respect. Such names are of the highest value to me—not only for the intrinsic weight they bear—in relation to the matter in question—but to myself as a silent guarantee of opinion. Believe me truly and respectfully grateful to you.

The memorial is now with Mr Winter Jones² at the British Museum—for his and others’ signatures. But I am somewhat in a commotion—Mr Smiles having written urgently last night—for the memorial to be sent in to Mr Gladstone.³ There will therefore be only time to add the names of my kind friends—Mr Duffus Hardy and Mr Bennett Woodcroft.⁴ There are many names of great value—awaiting the memorial—as those of Mr Warren De La Rue—Mr Millais⁵—and others—but there is now no time for application.

Believe me—with great respect, | your’s obliged & faithfully | Eliza Meteyard

Charles Darwin Esq.