From J. D. Hooker   29 November 1880

Dear Darwin

I see no good reason why a Father should not propose a son, though I think it would not be a wise course if the claim of the son was not a rather commanding one.¹

The chief draw-back would be that, in case of the election being long delayed, the friends would feel for the two parties much more than if they were not visibly joined as it were in one candidature.

I go off the Council tomorrow, & will if you like make a little enquiry as to Frank’s prospects of tolerably speedy selection,—having done which I would inform you, & act with the greatest pleasure exactly as you should wish.²

I have only one prior claim upon me, & that is D^r Dickie late Prof^r of Botany in Aberdeen, who has labored on Algae for upwards of 40 years, & published some 54 papers on them.³

Frank is certain to get in sometime, & in your life-time too! but he would be more certain of speedy selection if he had made more communications—⁴ His ability & the standard i.e. importance of his work are all that could be desired, but without looking it up I am not prepared to say that there is enough of it to make a sure claim for speedy selection; except there should be a dearth of older workers on the list, which is not likely.

Be all this as it may, it will be a real pleasure to me to take care of Frank’s interests & foster them, whether or no I can make them available at once. Oliver succeeds me on the Council & he is a sure friend of Franks.⁵

I know you will not be angry with my cautions—

Ever affy Y^rs | Jos D Hooker.