Sir,

Your magnificent album has just arrived, and I cannot find words to express my feeling of deep gratification at this extraordinary honour.¹ I hope that you will inform the one hundred & fifty-four men of science including some of the most highly honoured names in the world, how grateful I am for their kindness & generous sympathy in having sent me their photographs on my birthday. This ever memorable testimonial will stimulate me to renewed exertion as long as I am capable of any work, & on my death it will be a most precious bequest to my children. The honour which you have conferred on me is quite beyond my deserts, for I know well that nearly all my work is based on materials collected by many distinguished observers. Allow me further to thank you warmly for the enclosed letters & the poetry, all so highly grat to me.²

I have expressed my feelings quite inadequately & shall ever remain, | Sir | Your obliged & grateful servant | C. R. Darwin