Spottiswoode—

Hooker & Tyndall proposed to lunch with me today, & Lubbock & Busk on hearing this said they w^d to join them & we sent for Herbert Spencer.² For They all thought that it w^d be very advisable to act as soon as possible; but I greatly regretted, as did the others, that you were not present.— After a very long discussion our little meeting decided that only personal friends sh^d be allowed to subscribe (& this I think & so stated was your view), & that the affair sh^d be kept strictly secret. It was determined to collect the money as soon as possible & send it all to Sir J. Lubbock, who will pay it in a sum to Huxley’s account.—³ It was decided, after much doubt & deliberation, that it w^d be best then to inform Huxley of the fact, but with no detail beyond this statement that the subscription was confined to his warm personal friends. Much against my will the others decided that I sh^d make the communication, & a most difficult work I shall find it.⁴ You will be glad to hear that we are sure of above 1000 & the total will possibly amt to 1600 or 1700.— As you w^d have known, if present, what sums were subscribed, I think I had better mention them. Tyndall ^£200, Busk 200 (we others thought that the sum far too magnificent) H. Spencer 100—myself—300—my Brother⁵ 100. Hooker 25£ Lubbock 100—Hirst⁶ has promised 50£

Let me thank you cordially for your great kindness, when I called on you⁷ & believe me | Yours very sincerely | C. Darwin