My dear Sir H.

I beg you to grant me the favour to read over the enclosed long letter from D^r Hooker, the best & oldest friend I have in the world.²

I heard months ago how shamefully M^r Ayrton had been treating him, & now it seems that things have come to such a pass that Hooker will resign his place rather than remain under his command.³ This, considering what H. has done for science, w^d be almost a disgrace to the country.

Your name & position must have great influence in the Deputation;⁴ so I beg you to consider this application, as favourably as your judgment will permit; & [because], I think [perfectly clear] that a gt scientific establishment ought not to be under the control of one man who may know nothing whatever of any branch of science—

I hope under all the circumstances that you will excuse me for drawing your attention to this subject,— as I can see that D^r H. is most anxious for your support.—