From F. E. Abbot   18 July 1872

My dear sir,

I am honored and flattered by your thinking the Index worth subscribing to again, and for the $5.00 you are so very kind as to enclose in the letter just received from you,¹ the paper shall be sent, not only the two years you mention, but as long as you shall be willing to accept it—which I hope will be many, many years. Without this last remittance from you, it was my intention to continue sending the paper indefinitely: for you have paid for it many times over by your kind permission to use your expression concerning the “Truths for the Times”. This has been worth a great deal to me; and I cannot tell you how delighted I was by your letter of January 8th, saying that you were pleased with the manner in which I had introduced your name.² I can never without deep gratitude remember your generosity to me in this matter. Although I cannot certainly be of much importance to you in any way, I cannot help saying that your kind treatment has called forth sentiments towards yourself that I cannot venture to express. But there is one young man in America who not only admires, but loves, Mr. Darwin.

It is very pleasing to know you entertained Col. Higginson, and enjoyed him. I do not know any American who stands higher at home in the esteem of his countrymen.³ He is every inch a man.

Your flattering reference to my lecture on “The God of Science” is exceedingly gratifying.⁴ How earnestly we all long for “more light” on that great subject!

Most respectfully yours, | Francis E. Abbot.