My Dear Darwin

Thanks for your note¹   we agree in the estimate of the Man.² I wish you would use your influence with your pupil Lubbock to get him to use his endeavours to prevent the Council (or certain members of it) of the Zoological Society inflicting a great injury on Science and Scientific men by proposing much less procuring a man whose conduct has been so eratic as the head of the Society & making the world beleive that we scientific men consider such conduct as of no importance³

I know that the old non Scientific Fellows who have been on & off the Council ever since the formation of the society have lost all confidence in him & dislike the idea of his being ever proposed as they say did he not misuse his influence when he came down & proposed a gratuity of £500 to Mitchell who shortly after proved a defaulter⁴ and enquire did you ever see him attend regularly & pay any permanent attention to the wellbeing of the Society?

Ever Yours Sincerely | J. E Gray