<span>Darwin states that it would be a real pleasure to propose Bates for [F.] Royal Society. Darwin also asks that Bates send him the necessary information for the certificate as well as a list of men he would like to sign it. Darwin should not be disappointed if Bates is not elected first time. Transcription: "Jan 26' 79 Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. My dear Bates It will give me real pleasure to purpose you for this object. You will see that you surely must not [] the [],- not that there can be the least impropriety in you asking any of your friends.- Will you therefore full up all the necessary particulars, giving a [] full hit of your </span><span>publication + return the paper to me. At the same time give me a hit with addresses of [] men as you wd like to sign, + I will then write a forward certificate to each.- I do not know who [] to Council + it is a confounded bore that some of the best men, to whom I shd naturally apply, such is [] + [] are excluded. This makes it the more necessary that I shd have some sort of hit from you. Ever yours sincerely Ch. Darwin you must not be [] if you are not elected the first time, for hardly anybody is thus elected." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts</span>
