To John Scott   23 May [1863]¹

Dear Sir

I have just received your two letters.² I am really incompetent from complete ignorance to advise you.³ But I have done my best for I have written to D^r. Hooker, who must often have sent out superintendents &c &c & who knows Darjeeling well, for his advice.—⁴ He will do anything for me & as soon as I hear I will not lose a post & inform you.— Can you borrow his “Himalayan Journals”, you will find much about Darjeeling.—⁵ If the offer is fairly good (especially as you are rather uncomfortable in present position) I would not refuse on account of your experiments.⁶ You will have plenty of opportunities.

I must not let you suppose that there is any chance of my aiding you to a situation abroad; my health is so broken that I rarely see a soul, & all such applications would be made to Kew or Edinburgh or Dublin—⁷ I have mentioned your wish to D^r. Hooker; but rather suppose that he would feel bound to recommend anyone whom he had known at Kew.— I have only glanced at your scientific letter; but I see it contains much interesting to me.— Do not expect to interest many others equally; but rely firmly on it, that such experimental researches as yours will have a permanent value, & will be referred to years afterwards, when the endless flimsy papers of the present day are forgotten—

Yours faithfully. | C. Darwin