Dear Sir,

I took the liberty to send you by the interference of our Embassy in London a volume containing “the results of measurements taken on numerous individuals of different races during the campaign of the Austrian frigat Novara round the world in 1857–59,” and beg to accept this work as a token of my highest esteem and admiration.¹ The measurements were taken by myself and the late D^r Schwarz (physician on board the frigat); the results were gained by my indefatigable friend D^r A. Weisbach and tend to support and to strengthen that wonderful law of which you are the venerated originator!²

I have also given orders that a copy of the linguistic portions of the Novara-publications may be forwarded to you, and so will be the ethnographical part, which I am just now preparing for print.³

There is some hope, that another Expedition will be sent by our government to China and Japan in order to make treaties of commerce with the respective governments.⁴ It is very likely, that I shall accompany that Expedition as Imperial Commissioner, and if this be the case, you will permit me to ask you for instructions with respect to Scientific Desiderata.

I do not want to add, how much I should be delighted to become of any service to you and your scientific pursuits. Allow me yet to remark, that D^r Karl Vogt, who is now lecturing on the primitive history of man at Cologne and Aix-la Chapelle, has got a sight of the proof-sheets of the results of my measurements and was so much interested with them, that he will make them an object of his lectures.⁵ Should the work be happy enough to enjoy and gain also your approval, this will considerably strenghten our efforts and endeavours and contribute to let us persevere in these most difficult pursuits. I have the honor to remain with the highest consideration

Sir, | your most obedient | D^r Karl v. Scherzer.