My dear D^r Günther

Enclosed is the Memorial about which I take a very deep interest.¹

Will you kindly read & consider it, & if you approve, I hope that you will sign, appending your official title at the Museum.² We intend to get only a few signatures, viz of ⁠⟨⁠men⁠⟩⁠ who from their special studies, or as Pres. of Scientific Socs. have some claim to be heard.

Hooker, Lubbock & Huxley will sign.³ The D. of Argyll has written to Mr Gladstone that he highly approves of the Memorial.⁴ Now I want to ask a favour of you, unless for any reason you dislike granting it, namely, to send the memorial to Owen; you might say that you had been asked to lay it before him, as his signature w^d carry great weight. If he asks who originated the memorial you will of course have to ⁠⟨⁠tell⁠⟩⁠ him that it was I; & this w⁠⟨⁠ill⁠⟩⁠ I fear prejudice him against it. I could not myself send it as I have not spoken to him for 20 years.⁵ I enclose an envelope for the return of the memorial, as time is of consequence on account of the meeting of Pa⁠⟨⁠r⁠⟩⁠^lt.

Pray forgive me for troubling you & believe me | My dear D^r Günther | Yours very faithfully | Charles Darwin

I thank you much for giving me your address so fully.⁶ There has been great delay owing to the disturbance of the Post.—

Lord Aberdare⁷ signed it on the 23^d & I have received it only this morning!