P.S. Since the above was written I have received your note of the 25^th.— I was never more puzzled in my life. D^r M^c. Intosh applied to me before I heard of M^r Ewart; & I sh^d. feel it rather shabby after telling him that I could not give him a Testimonial (or rather not allow him to use one which I had formerly given him for Aberdeen) on account of having given one to Lankester, & now to give one to M^r Ewart.² I really cannot judge between the two men.— M^r P. Geddes,³ also, has done excellent work, but I suppose he is a very young man.

Judging from D^r Dickson’s (Prof. of Botany) of Edinburg’s testimonial to M^r Geddes, it seems that M^r Young of Glasgow is also in the field.—⁴ I am very sorry not to do what you ask me, but I think that I had better not give any testimonial when I feel so doubtful.—⁵ If moreover, D^r M^c.Intosh were to apply again, I could not refuse to allow him to use again my former testimonial.— I can only say again that I am very sorry

C. D.