Dear Sir

I do not consider your letter any intrusion, & your cause is an excellent one—²

My health is always weak, & it has lately been worse and I have left home for 3 weeks complete rest at the houses of my near relations.³ Therefore I am therefore unwilling to undertake any thing laborious & reading a long M.S. always fatigues me much.

But if your M.S. is short or if you think it worth while to give me an abstract of your views I shall be happy to express my opinion whatever that may be worth.— I really cannot undertake to read a long M.S. & on my return home,—I must go on with a long & difficult investigation.—⁴

I remain | Dear Sir. | Yours faithfully. | Ch. Darwin.