Dear Newton

I suppose it w^d be universally held extremely wrong for a defendant to write to a Judge to express his satisfaction at a judgment in his favour; & yet I am going thus to act.— I have just read what you have said in the Record about my Pigeon chapters, & it has gratified me beyond measure.² I have sometimes felt a little disappointed that the labour of so many years seemed to be almost thrown away, for you are the first man, capable of forming a judgment (excepting partly Quatrefages), who seems to have thought anything of this part of my work.³

The amount of labour, correspondence, & care, which the subject cost me, is more than you could well suppose.— I thought the article in the Athenæum, written I have no doubt by Owen, was very unjust;⁴ but now I feel amply repaid, & I cordially thank you for your sympathy & too warm praise.— What labour you have bestowed on your part of the Record! I ought to be ashamed to speak of my amount of work.—

I thoroughily enjoyed the Sunday which you & the others spent here,⁵ &

I remain | Dear Newton | Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin