My dear Sir

My eldest son is about to commence his University education at Balliol college, Oxford, in October and I am told that it may be an advantage to him if I can get for him a personal introduction to D^r Jowett.¹ I take the liberty of asking whether you can give me one for my son. I think I may say that the youth is of some promise. He has been brought up entirely by private tuition & is entering his college by having passed the public school examination in Latin (with distinction) Greek, preliminary mathematics, history & French. His physique is sound. He is good tempered & easily managed: and has hitherto occasioned me but little anxiety. I hope you will excuse my request if you cannot comply with it.

& I am | My dear Sir | Yours very truly | W^m. M Hacon

Charles R. Darwin Esq^re. | Down | Beckenham | Kent