My dear Sir—.

In answer to your courteous note of the 19^th I beg leave to say though I have resolved not to enter into any controversy on the subject, that I think that I could answer at least to my own satisfaction most of the remarks in your letter.¹ I have, however, so far departed from my determination that I have sent a second short letter to the Times, which I hope that the Editor will print; but I shall not depart a second time.² Feeling the strongest conviction of the enormous injury to mankind which would result if a the study of physiology was stopped I think myself bound to answer the Swedish Professor & to publish my letter in England; though I did so unwillingly, as I expected to be answered & possibly to be abused.³ Pray do not think that I am indifferent to the sufferings of animals. Owing to rumour which I heard (but which was not confirmed on making further enquiries) I had a bill drawn up (, with the advice of a few friends); but this bill differed from that which was subsequently laid before Parliament by D^r Lyon Playfair.⁴ We must each of us follow the course which seems to us right. I sh^d. feel more sympathy with your side, were it not for the flagrant injustice of execrating only—physiologists many of whom have never operated on an animal except under anaesthetic whilst not one word is said against the infinitely greater annually suffering caused for mere sport by the trapping of vermin & the wounding of game every year, which in my youth I witnessed.⁵

My dear Sir | Your faithfully | C. D.