My dear Sir

I have been too busy to thank you sooner for your kind note of the 2^nd. mentioning M^rs. Hamilton’s name, and wishing me success with our Exhibition of Cats.¹ It was very successful with one rather important exception. We did not expect half the number of Visitors, and therefore there was much inconvenient crowding and many persons were disappointed of seeing the Cats. We shall, however, remedy all this in November when we propose to repeat the Show.²

In the meantime I am desirous to ask you if you think there is any way in which we might make the future Exhibition serve the interests of Science and of your peculiar investigations. Supposing we were to offer prizes for any special character or modification for instance— One of the Cats exhibited on Thursday had I think 7 toes on each foot and some one said that you had mentioned the fact of such abnormal peculiarities in cats.³ I fear I am writing very ignorantly, but you will understand my object, which is to make my Show not only an attraction to possessors of Shillings, but if possible a use to men of Science

Yours very faithfully | G. Grove.

Ch. Darwin Esq