My dear Sir,

I hope that you will excuse me begging a favour of you. L. Würtenberger published a paper in ‘Ausland’ 1873 on the development & succession of Jurassic ammonites, & being the first which I had read on the subject, it struck me greatly¹   He has now written that he is so poor that he cannot complete his work without aid; though the Carlsruhe Society would undertake the illustrations of the book if it were completed; & he asks me whether any scientific Society in England would give him assistance, but this I feel sure cannot be obtained.² Now will you have the kindness to tell me in confidence, whether you know that he is a trustworthy man & whether you think well of his work; for in this case I would aid him myself to a certain extent. I trust that you will forgive me for thus troubling you, & I should be very much obliged by an early answer.

I remain, my dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | Charles Darwin