My dear Sir,

Will you allow me to use the enclosed testimonial in my candidature for the chair of Geology at Oxford so sadly vacant by the death of my old friend and master Prof. Phillips—¹ My special claims at Oxford are

1^st. I was the first to take geology into the schools

2^d. I was the first geol. scholar²

3^dly. I was first in science honours, & second in classics—

I am almost ashamed to mention these things—but the strong desire for the opportunity of carrying on original work even at a considerable sacrifice of money is to me irresistable.

I hope that you will not think me troublesome

I am | My dear Sir | Yours truly | W. Boyd Dawkins

Charles Darwin Esq F.R.S.

P.S. It is especially sad that Professor Phillips should have gone at this time. He was just bringing “the last book he ever intended to write” to a close, and was looking forward to spending the evening of his life in the quiet enjoyment of the beautiful collections of shells etc in the Oxford Museum.³ He told me this when I saw him last in Oxford—