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[in another hand] Fraser

[printed letterhead] Leighside, Tunbridge wells

21 March 1888

Francis Darwin, Esq.

c/o John Murray, Esq.

Albemarle St., W.

Dear Sir,

I have just found the enclosed letter (which I feared I had lost) amongst my papers — & forward it for your perusal — on the chance that it may interest you. — But I trust to your returning it to me as soon as possible — as I considered it one of my greatest treasures.

Mr. Darwin's letter refers to two letters of mine in which

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I pointed out that illustrations of his theory of sexual selection might be found amongst British Butterflies & moths, which he had appeared to overlook in the first edition of the "Descent of Man." As an altogether unknown & far from experienced naturalist I feared to send my letters for publication without, in the first place, obtaining Mr. Darwin's approval. — After receiving the enclosed letter, my two letters were combined into one & published in "Nature" on 20th April, 1871 (Volume 3, page 489). And to

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my great delight, when the Second Edition of the "Descent of Man" was published I found that Mr Darwin made several references to that letter (Second Edition — 1874 — notes on pp. 312 — 316 — & 319).

This is only another illustration of Mr Darwin's great conscientiousness in acknowledging suggestions received by him from the most humble sources. -

I need hardly say that I have the greatest pleasure in reading his "Life & Letters" — which have only just come into my hands.

Yours very truly,

George D. Fraser