From S. T. Preston   24 October 1880

Dear Sir

In perusing my letter of August 5^th again, it strikes me that there is an appearance of pretentiousness in the mode of my allusion to Mr Herbert Spencer’s “Data of Ethics” in relation to the Essay on “Natural Science & Morality” by myself and friend.¹ I can only say that this was not my intention, and my object was to express a certain amount of gratification at the apparent agreement of principles as far as they went in the comparatively very brief Essay by self and friend. As however one cannot in correspondence have the great advantage of knowing the impression one has created and of ascertaining whether the intended meaning has been conveyed (which is possible only in an oral communication): and as I should be sorry that the wording of my letter should convey an impression of the above kind (which I think it legitimately might do)—I am therefore induced to write these few lines, and as no correspondence is called for, I hope I shall not be thought to be unduly troubling you in alluding briefly to this matter.

Your’s truly | S Tolver Preston

Charles Darwin Esqr FRS &c—