Jermyn Street, January 16, 1864.
My dear Darwin,
I have had no news of you for a long time, but I earnestly hope you are better.
Have you any objection to putting your name to Flower's certificate for the Royal Society herewith inclosed? It will please him much if you will; and I go bail for his being a thoroughly good man in all senses of the word—which, as you know, is more than I would say for everybody.
Don't write any reply; but Mrs. Darwin perhaps will do me the kindness to send the thing on to Lyell as per enclosed envelope. I will write him a note about it.
We are all well, barring customary colds and various forms of infantile pip. As for myself, I am flourishing like a green bay tree (appropriate comparison, Soapy Sam would observe), in consequence of having utterly renounced societies and society since October.
I have been working like a horse, however, and shall work "horser" as my college lectures begin in February.
Tout a vous,
T.H. Huxley.
Royal School of Mines, Jermyn Street, April 18, 1864.