My dear M^r Darwin,

I have come up to London at the request of Mr Strahan (publisher)² who has kindly volunteered to help me to get a pension from Government for my husband. The Duke of Argyle³ has agreed to present the memorial but as there is no time now to get one up in the usual form, Mr Strahan thinks if I could get a few letters from friends, stating that Mr Cupples was worthy of it. Mr S has asked me to write to you, but as my husband does not know about it I must ask you to excuse the trouble   As you do not know him so intimately as the others, the only thing you might be able to say, that he shows powers of some kind and that were his mind more at ease he might yet do something worthy of himself & the world   Mr S thinks you may be able to do this judging from his letters to you. If you can do this for me, will you be so good as to address the letter to M^r Strahan. The others I have got begun their letters My dear Mr Strahan I hope you will succeed in this undertaking for my friend Mr Cupples who &c &c” These letters are to be fixed to the memorial.⁴ M^r Cupples has not been very strong these last six months, and I am anxious to get home immediately else I would have been so glad to have run down to see M^rs Darwin before leaving

please give her and Miss Darwin⁵ my very kindest regards. and with the same to yourself I remain | yours very sincerely | A J Cupples

C Darwin Esq | Downe Beckenham Kent,

PS I hope the puppy is getting on nicely.⁶ I write this in Mr S’s office with the fog so thick it is like night, so I hope you will excuse the writing