My dear Sir

I am sending you by this post a copy of the oration I lately delivered at the College of Physicians— I should scarcely have ventured to have done so, had I not been honoured by your presence on that occasion—¹ I shall always regard it on this account one ⁠⟨⁠of⁠⟩⁠ the most memorable days of my life—

I am only too pleased to have this excuse to enable me to say that I am one amongst a multitude ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ you have never heard,—who have been your devoted disciples— As far as any scientific work can be done in my own profession I have endeavoured though in a very minor degree to follow the methods you have so well pursued.—

My oration though imperfect was intended to speak in a like spirit.²

Believe me | My dear Sir | With profound esteem & most affectionate regards | Yrs Sincerely | Samuel Wilks

To Charles Darwin Esq