To J. N. Hoare   16 April [1871]

Dear Sir

I am greatly indebted to your kindness in having informed me of the two very curious & interesting passages in Xenophon & Horace.¹ They are quite new to me, for I have, I am sorry to say, utterly forgotten what little classical knowledge I ever possessed.

The kind words at the end of your note have been highly gratifying to me: no great number of clergymen (with some honourable exceptions) give me credit for searching for the truth, as far as my ability & knowledge serve, & for nothing but the truth.

With my best thanks & respects | I remain, dear Sir | very faithfully | Charles Darwin