To A. A. Gould   21 July 1855

My dear Sir

In a note received a few days since from Sir C. Lyell he tells me that you have seen my last volume on Cirripedia,¹ & think well of it. (which I assure you pleases me very much); but this leads me to ask whether I am mistaken in supposing that you are still one of the subscribers to the Ray Soc.^y.—² I have two copies left, & I well know that no one has a better right than yourself, to a copy,—a very small & poor return for all your kindness.—

I have retained these two copies in case I sh^d. hear of anyone working on Cirripedes: but if you are no longer a member of the Ray Soc.^y. & would be so kind as to take the trouble to inform me, it would give me the greatest pleasure to send you a copy. If I do not hear I shall understand that you are still a member, & will no doubt in due time receive your copy. The volume was not distributed for some time after I sent out my presentation copies—

I hope that you will forgive my troubling you with this note; but I sh^d. dislike exceedingly to be thought ungrateful by you.—

Pray believe me | My dear Sir | With much respect | Yours very faithfully | Charles Darwin