To Michael Foster   23 April [1874]1

Down, | Beckenham, Kent. [2 Bryanston Street, London.]

April 23d

Dear Dr Foster

The proof reads very well. I hope to Heaven our scheme may be successful.2 I am sorry to say that I know nothing whatever of the D. of Devonshire3 & could not possibly write to him. Sir C. Lyell will subscribe & is puzzled what to give.—4 You have omitted my eldest son of W. E. Darwin who has promised 20£.5

Remember to send a copy (but not as from me) to T. H. Farrer Board of Trade Whitehall & to E. A. Darwin   6. Queen Anne St. W.6

I was at the R. Soc. for a short time last night & wish that I had heard that you were there.7 In Haste | Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin

1
The year is established by the reference to the proof (see n. 2, below).
2
Foster had arranged to have copies of an appeal for the Zoological Station at Naples printed for distribution to prospective subscribers (see circular to various scientific men, [7 April 1874], and letter from Michael Foster, 7 April [1874]).
3
William Cavendish was the seventh duke of Devonshire.
7
CD had planned to have a photograph of the Zoological Station displayed at the Royal Society of London soirée on 22 April (see letter to Anton Dohrn, 16 April and 9 August 1874).

Manuscript Alterations and Comments

1.4 is] after del ‘h’

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-9425,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-9425