From Alfred Wrigley   9 March 1868

My dear Sir

The last letter received from you respecting Horace, I beg to enclose—¹ After its date, came the signal successes of Leonard and George.² As I received no further intimation respecting Horace, and could discover no ground of dissatisfaction, I assumed, not unreasonably I submit, that your fourth son would continue at the school where his three elder brothers had succeeded so well.³ On receiving M^r Rouse’s letter⁴ I replied in nearly the following terms—

“M^r Darwin has not informed me that he will remove his son Horace from this School next Easter; or I should with pleasure reply to your enquiries.” By this I intimated that I had not received your decision on a matter which I supposed to be under consideration.

It is from no idle curiosity that I desire to learn the cause of Horace’s removal. On the one hand I have personally—both as Tutor and Master—rendered him all assistance practicable— on the other hand—he is removed at a season when his brothers have acquired high distinction; and when such removal, without cause assigned, neutralises any advantage that might accrue, and unexplained is a censure. I cannot for a moment suppose that this result is intended—but the prejudicial effect is far beyond the loss of one pupil.

I shall be much obliged by your returning the enclosed letter, which I send for the purpose of shewing that the question was, so far as I knew, under consideration—and that it was my duty to write to M^r Rouse in the terms I did until I had received your decision

Believe me My dear Sir | Yours very sincerely | Alfred Wrigley

Cha⁠⟨⁠r⁠⟩⁠les Darwin Esq^re.