My dear Sanderson

I have heard from L^d Derby & I enclose a copy of his note.¹ Huxley who is here agrees with me that nothing could be better.² I hope that we may hear from the Home Sec^ry.;³ if not we must consider what is next to be done

On my return home last Tuesday, I wrote to Sir J. Lubbock for an interview & he answered that he would see me the first day that he was at home; but I have not yet heard from him⁴   It has occurred to me now that we have got such a potent man as L^d Derby to speak to the Home Sec whether we had not better drop the petition.⁵ Litchfield⁶ is strongly of this opinion, & Huxley thinks it well worthy of consideration. I suppose we are not bound to the men who have signed to present it, & that a little explanation would suffice

Hooker writes that he forgot to add “Pres R S” to his signature to the petition & authorizes us to add it   He has read the sketch of our bill & quite approves of it.⁷

Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin