CH. DARWIN.
Down, Beckenham, Kent. January 7, 1881.
My dear Wallace,—You know from Miss Buckley that, with her assistance, I drew up a memorial to Mr. Gladstone with respect to your services to science. The memorial was corrected by Huxley, who has aided me in every possible way. It was signed by twelve good men, and you would have been gratified if you had seen how strongly they expressed themselves on your claims.
The Duke of Argyll, to whom I sent the memorial, wrote a private note to Mr. Gladstone. The memorial was sent in only on January 5th, and I have just received a note in Mr. Gladstone's own handwriting, in which he says: "I lose no time in apprising you that although the Fund is moderate and at present poor, I shall recommend Mr. Wallace for a pension of £200 a year." I will keep this note carefully, as, if the present Government were to go [pg 314]out, I do not doubt that it would be binding on the next Government.
I hope that it will give you some satisfaction to see that not only every scientific man to whom I applied, but that also our Government appreciated your lifelong scientific labour.—Believe me, my dear Wallace, yours sincerely,
CH. DARWIN.
I should expect that there will be some delay before you receive an official announcement.
Pen-y-bryn, St. Peter's Road, Croydon. January 8, 1881.