My dear Darwin

Yours just received was very welcome, & the delay in its reaching me is of no importance whatever, as having seen the announcement of the Queen’s approval of the pension of course I felt it was safe.¹ The ante-dating of the first payment, is a very liberal & thoughtful act; but I do not think it is any way exceptional, as regards myself. I am informed it is the custom because, as no payment is made after the death of the person, if the first payment were delayed, the proposed recipient might die before the $\frac{1}{2}$ year (a quarter day) & thus receive nothing at all.

I suppose you sent the right address to Mr Seymour.² I have not yet heard from him, but I dare say I shall during next week.

As I am assured both by Miss Buckley & by Prof. Huxley that it is to you that I owe in the first place this great kindness, & that you have also taken an immense amount of trouble to bring it to so successful issue, I must again return you my best thanks, and assure you that there is no one living to whose kindness in such a matter I could feel myself indebted with so much pleasure & satisfaction.³

Believe me, Dear Darwin, | Yours very faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace—

Charles Darwin Esq.