My dear Darwin

I quite agree with your letter about vivisection as a matter of right & justice in the first place, & secondly as the best method of taking the wind out of the enemy’s sails¹   I will communicate with Burdon Sanderson² & see what can be done.

My reliance as against that ‘foolish fat scullion’³ & her fanatical following is not in the wisdom & justice of the House of Commons but in the large number of Fox-hunters therein— If Physiological Experimentation is put down by law—hunting fishing & shooting against which a much better case can be made out will soon follow

Have you seen Mivarts wriggle?⁴ Of course he could be easily exposed but I doubt if he is worth more powder & shot— What say you?

I have had a horrid influenza & gone deaf in one ear—I am afraid permanently—but I am picking up again

The Litchfields⁵ were with us last night & I was glad to hear good news of all at Down

Ever | Yours very faithy | T H Huxley