Dear Father

I have read enclosed agreement. Will you sign it without witness, & send it to Mess^rs. Paterson & Bloxam¹

25 Lincolns Inn Field.

W.C

I shall go to London tomorrow or Sunday morn^g. & start to Glasgow on Sunday night.

I hear that Challis is on the point of death—& may have died last night for all I know.² I suppose a month from now will see me Professor or not. I wish it had’nt happened now that I have got so much on my shoulders. I think I have a good chance. The electors are

Stokes

Prof^rs. Adams

Cayley

Thompson Trin

Masters Ferrers Caius

Swainson Chr.

V. C. Porter Pet.³

Cayley sails for America on 21^st. dec., & I hope election may take place before then, as I am fairly sure of him. I may perhaps have to come back suddenly from Glasgow but I think not, as after sending out a notice of Candidature I shall have really have nothing to do & indeed the Prof. is hardly likely to be declared vacant within a week from now.

The amateur theatricals have been going on this last week. They played the School for Scandal & the Lady Teazle was a piece of the very best acting I ever saw;⁴ everyone is quite astounded at a man acting a woman so well & he has the extra advantage of being a great beauty & not a more masculine voice than one sometimes hears in a woman.

I shall not have to lecture (if I get it) until May or even next Oct.—& I shall prefer the latter as I shall want a great deal of preparation.

Your affec. son | G H Darwin