From A. G. Dew-Smith   17 January 1875

My dear Sir

D^r Foster has asked me to send the accompanying letter &c to you, and to ask you if you approve its being printed & a copy sent to each of the Naturalists who signed the first Circulating letter and also to each of the persons who gave a donation. The letter I have copied, was sent by D^r Dohrn to D^r Foster for this purpose, & the latter thinks it better to print it exactly as it stands, rather than to modify some few of the expressions w^h D^r Dohrn has rather unskilfully used. A List of the Donors & the amounts will be appended if you approve of its being done.¹

I have recently returned from Naples and left everything going on very satisfactorily. Sixteen out of twenty possible Tables are let, & are expected soon to be filled.² Three assistants are now at the Station, to provide the Students with what they require, and to dredge the bay, & so ascertain at what times animals are in the best condition for investigation. D^r Dohrn also contemplates collecting animals for sale & in this way partly if not wholly to pay the expenses of the fishermen.

In a letter I recieved from D^r Dohrn this morning he says “I can now tell you, that the German Government has not disappointed me. The 1500£ are ours, and given without restriction, or condition as a well merited “cadeau’”’³

This will pay off the Contractor & so allow the Station to try what it can do on its own earnings.

Will you kindly let me know if you approve of the enclosed Circular &c

Believe me | Very faithfully | A. G. Dew-Smith.

To | C. Darwin Esq.