My dear Darwin

I need not say how very grateful I am to you for your constant kindness, and especially for the trouble you have taken in recommending me to Mr. Gladstone.¹ It is also of course very gratifying to hear that so many eminent men have so good an opinion of the little scientific work I have done,—for I myself feel it to be very little in comparison with that of many others.²

The amount you say Mr. Gladstone proposes to recommend is considerably more than I expected would be given, and it will relieve me from a great deal of the anxiety under which I have laboured for several years.³

Today is my 58th. birthday and it is a happy omen that your letter sh^d. have arrived this morning.

I presume after I receive the official communication will be the proper time to thank the persons who have signed the Memorial in my favour.

I do not know whether it is the proper etiquette to write a private letter of thanks to M^r. Gladstone, or only a general official one.

Whenever I hear anything from the Government I will let you know.

Again thanking you for your kindness | Believe me | Yours very faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace

Charles Darwin Esq.