To Armand de Quatrefages   15 January [1872]¹

My dear Sir,

I am much obliged for your very kind letter and exertions in my favour. I had thought that the publication of my last book would have destroyed all your sympathy with me; but though I estimated very highly your great liberality of mind it seems that I underrated it—² I am gratified to hear that M. Lucaze du Thiers³ will vote for me, for I have long honoured his name.

I cannot help regretting that you should expend your valuable time in trying to obtain for me the honour of election; for I fear, judging from the last time that all your labour will be in vain.⁴ Whatever the result may be, I shall always retain the most lively recollection of your sympathy & kindness; & this will quite console me for my rejection.

With much respect & esteem, I remain dear Sir, | Yours truly obliged | Charles Darwin

P.S. With respect to the great stress which you lay on man walking on two legs, whilst the Quadrumana go on all fours— permit me to remind you that no one much values the great difference in the mode of locomotion &. consequently in structure between seals and the terrestrial Carnivora, or between the almost biped Kangaroos and other marsupials.