My dear Leslie Stephen

Your note is one of the kindest which I have ever received, & your advice shall be strictly followed.¹ It was very good of you, busy as you are, to take so much trouble for me; but your trouble will not be thrown away, in so far as when in the dead of the night the thought comes across me how I have been treated, I will resolutely try to banish the thoughts, & say to myself that so good a judge, as Leslie Stephen thinks nothing of the false accusation   The Litchfields & some of my other children are intensely anxious to read your judgment² | Believe me | yours ever gratefully | Charles Darwin

I have written on opposite page my name if you think fit to paste it into the Life of E. D.;³ but I much wish that you w^d. name one or more of the books, written wholly by myself, which I could treat in the same manner for you.—