My dear Sir

I am much obliged for your very kind note & for the three copies of your Essays; one of which I have sent to the Linnean Soc., & one to the Editor of “Nature”, as this is the most likely periodical to review it.¹ Unfortunately very few of our scientific men read Italian, & as you know, this is my case; but I will ask my wife to translate some portions, as I am sure the whole w^d interest me greatly.² If you have a spare copy I w^d suggest your sending one to “G. Bentham Esq F.R.S 25 Wilton Place London,” as he knows Italian, & is interested in such researches as yours.³

My health has been very poor all this summer, & I doubt whether I shall ever have strength to publish on Variability under a State of Nature.⁴ Next summer or autumn I hope to publish a long Essay, the result of 5 or 6 years work, on the comparative growth, vigour & fertility of crossed & self-fertilised plants during several successive generations.⁵ I hope & expect that these results will interest you, & a very few others, for they will have no interest for the general public.—

I have been very glad to notice that the knowledge of your excellent researches is spreading in Germany & in N. America.⁶

With sincere respect | I remain my dear Sir | yours very faithfully | Ch. Darwin

Pray oblige me by sending me your Photograph, & I enclose one of my own in case you w^d. like to possess it.