Dear Sir,

I thank you much for your kind letter of the 8^th. ul^t. It has always been my wish to refund the sum M^r. Darwin so kindly gave me to enable me to come to India. He indeed very kindly told me that he wished me to regard it as a gift.² I could not think of doing this, and I only hope I may soon be able to remit the full amount to you.

I really know not what to say in reply to your suggestions regarding the disposal of the money seeing that M^r. Darwin would have you dispose of it again all and wholly to my advantage and that in a way which had my means afforded I should have very heartily been at the necessary expense. As it is these I have had to forgo and now as M^r. Darwin and yourself will it I can only say that I should feel very gratefully indebted by your proposing me as a fellow of the Linn. Soc^ty.³ For the rest I should indeed be very pleased to hear that some other should similarly share with me M^r. Darwins bounty. You have no doubt those under you who need such gifts more than I now do and who are more worthy of such. I make this suggestion because you have asked me in M^r. Darwins name to mention any other modes in which I would wish the amount disposed in the interests of Science. I shall indeed be very glad to hear that M^r. Darwin will assent to this.

In the meantime I can but ill express my deep sense of gratefulness to M^r. Darwin and yourself.

I am | Dear Sir | Yours truly| John Scott