Dear M^r Darwin,

I am very sorry that you have been troubled by this M^r Pinker; especially as we hoped that we had prevented his applying to you.—¹ He wrote some time ago to the managers of the R.I. to the effect that a M^r Willett of Brighton had commissioned him to execute a bust of you, which would be presented to the R.I, if the managers would use their influence to induce you to sit, & would accept the work when completed. The managers (having no knowledge of the sculptor, nor any communication from M^r Willet) declined to interfere in the matter. In fact they looked upon the whole project as one originating with M^r Pinker for his own purposes.

M^r Pinker called upon me after receiving his answer; & I then verbally explained that the managers did not thereby decline beforehand to accept any offer of a donation, or to receive any work of his; but that they did not think it right without very strong reason to intrude upon your time & privacy which are so essential to your health & to science.—² This he has transformed into something else.— The RI. would of course be proud to possess a bust of you; but we do not think that this is the way to go to work; & I strongly counsel your having nothing to do with it.

very sincerely yrs | W Spottiswoode