From Charles Hoare   20 November 1877

“Darwin”; the sunset of thy life is cheered,

By recognition;— Honours never sought,

Though nobly earned; will make thy name revered!

Few have so gallantly for Science fought:—

Maligned, abused, with falsehoods too assailed,

Dis-daining answer;— but Truth has prevailed.

Science is honored in thy triumph!— all

Who “think”, must thank Thee, for what Thou hast won;

Tis not alone, mens minds released from thrall,

Humanity is raised, by what you’ve done;—

Before,—All life, seemed tainted at its fount;

Now,—none can guess, how high, mans mind may mount.

Unfettered by a Faith, that all debased,

By teaching, man was born degenerate;

Life’s hugest error, you at once effaced,

And soon mankind your name will venerate;

Not for release from mental slavery

Alone;—but for your dauntless bravery!

Accept this tribute from a humble man,

Tis Earnest, as ’tis honest; may you feel

Its warmth;— you little know, how many scan

Your work, with admiration of the zeal!

With which your life in Truth’s cause, has been spent,

Nay, let us say, it has been only lent.

The Harvest of your Fame, is yet to come;

Now,—is the Seed time of the facts you’ve sown,

Posterity has yet your Worth to sum,

When the Truths ripen; then it will be known,

What mankind owes you, for your contribution,

To its advancement, based on “Evolution”.

Charles Hoare:

York Villa, Lower Avenue | Southampton

20 Nov 1877.

To Cha^s Darwin Esq | LLD. FRS &c &c &c &c.

On his visit to Cambridge | Nov 1877¹