My dear Mr. Darwin:

I am about to sail for England, to give some lectures at the Royal Institution, and shall be in London from May 16^th until June 1^st.¹ I am going to bring my wife with me this time, for after 15 years with the children I think she ought to have a vacation.² While we are in London, I hope to get a chance to look at you again for a moment and shake hands.³ After finishing in London, I go to Edinburgh to give some lectures at the Philosophical Institution,—and shall be coming home again early in July.⁴ I hope you are still well and prospering in your great work.

I am unable to follow you in detail quite so closely as I used to, for year by year I find myself studying more and more nothing but history. But Huxley⁵ told me last year that he thought I could do more for the “doctrine of evolution” in history than in any other line. To say that all my studies to-day owe their life to you, would be to utter a superfluous compliment; for now it goes without saying that the discovery of “natural selection” has put the whole future thought of mankind on a new basis. When I see you I shall feel a youthful pleasure in telling what I would like to do, if I can.

I shall stay at Prof. Huxley’s, while in London (4 Marlborough Place, Abbey Road, N.W.); and any word from you will reach me there.

Ever, my dear Mr. Darwin, | Most sincerely yours, | John Fiske.