Dear Sir

I hear that you wish to have a few lines in my hand-writing.¹ When I was a young boy I collected all sorts of things, & I well remember how much pleasure each new thing gave me, so that I am glad to add to your collection, though my hand-writing is far from ornamental. My collections led me to turn to Science, & I hope that it may have the same effect on you, for there is no greater satisfaction as I know by experience than to add, however little, to the general stock of knowledge.—

Your well-wisher | Charles Darwin

To | M^r Edward W. Bok