My dear Sir

I have real pleasure in sending you my opinion, as a testimonial, of your varied acquirements, & acute powers of observation.¹ I have repeatedly been struck at the extent of your knowledge in many departments of Science,—at the originality of your ideas,—at your powers of clear expression in writing, & especially at your pure & disinterested love of Science.— Your paper on Bees’ cells, read before the British Association was highly useful & suggestive to me.—² You know that I have often applied to you for information, & I beg permission to state that I have rarely in my whole life met anyone more thoroughily obliging & willing to give aid of every kind.— I hope that you may be successful in your application, for I am convinced that the Hartley Institution will obtain in you a really good & zealous Curator.—³

My dear Sir | Yours sincerely | Ch. Darwin

To | W. B. Tegetmeier Esq^re—⁴