Dear M^r Darwin

I am delighted that the dedication of my book pleases you and am very much obliged to you for your kind remarks.¹ I only hope you may find something good in the contents of the book. I fear I have tried to talk about a good many things of which I have not more than a superficial knowledge.

I have been advised to become a candidate for the Registrarship of the University of London which is to be vacated by D^r Carpenter. I wish to obtain fairly paid employment and think I could do the work of this post well and have some leisure for scientific work whilst holding it.

If you should think me likely to be fit for the office you might do me some good by mentioning my name to Sir John Lubbock who is one of the most influential members of the Senate. Testimonials are not required in the matter and it is against etiquette for candidates to make any direct application to electors but I presume that in order to have any chance at all of election it is necessary to get ones name brought before the notice of some members of the senate before the election. I hope you will excuse my mentioning the matter to you   It is only in the last ten days that I have thought of applying for the post. My chance of getting it is I fear very small but I hope at all events that a scientific man will be elected.²

I have great hopes that the London University may become in time a great scientific University like some of the best German Universities. The nation certainly ought to possess one such institution and would be greatly strengthened thereby.

yours truly | H N Moseley.