[1]

Nov: 1st 1929

Sparrow's Point MA: USA

Dear Major Darwin

You most kind letter of the 24th ult reached me today, & I only wish I could express in words what I feel in my heart.

Ever since the sermon was preached in Westminster Abbey, it has not only been in my possession, but has been treasured as the most valuable of them all.

I have often thought of trying to get into touch will some member of your family, near & dear to the great Master, but I did not know exactly how to proceed.

When the Down House Memorial first started, I believed I discerned the

[1v]

opportunity I had been so long hoping to find; and than I discovered that Inge was in some way connected with the movement, and I felt sure his advice would be worth having. And so matters progressed. I forwarded the MS. to him, and he got in touch with you, and all went just as I had been hoping it would for many years.

I had a very personal interest in the Sermon, from the very start. It so happened I was at Lambeth Palace the day before the sermon was to be preached at the Memorial Service on May 1st 1882, and Tait was to be the preacher. Hearing I was at the Palace he sent for me, and gave me a letter be solemnly charged me to hand over to my Father and then to return with a written

(2

acknowledgement of it receipt had some difficulty in finding out where my Father was, but finally discovered him at the Athenaeum Club.

When he had read the abp's letter he walked up & down the little guest reception room; and then sat down & wrote the acknowledgement of the receipt of the A. bp's letter. As he gave it to me he said "Take this to the Archbishop, and tell your mother I will not be home until late tonight."─ He must have gone up at once to the writing room, & set about his task. If you examine the paper on which it is written, you will see each page sheet bears the Club crest.

I accompanied him to the Abbey on May 1st. The congregation was vast & noble.

The following day, as we were at breakfast,

[2v]

the front-door bell rang, and I answered the call. Out-side was standing a young man who introduced himself as the Representative of the "Times." He begged the loan of the Sermon. My father told me where to find it, but when I handed it to the Reporter I made him promise to return it by 2 p.m that day. This he consented to do, and he lived up to his promise.

When I got it back I took it to my Father, and begged him to let me keep it. He seemed somewhat amused at the request & said "if you and "the Times" both think the sermon a worth & [illeg] one, that certainly is encouraging!" ─ and so he gave me the MS, and it has been in my possession ever since. The numbering of the pages must have been dome by the "Times"

(3

Printer. I am glad to find the Biography of my father gives a prominent place in his book to this incident in my dear Father's life.

I don't think he ever met your Father, but I do know how greatly he respected & admired him. To-day it is easy enough to be a "Darwinian"─ but in those days a man holding the position he did, found it not so easy.

Once more allow me to thank you for your cherished letter, and kindly & gracious offer of hospitality to my dear Father's MSS. I feel so happy to know that it has been accepted by the son of the great "Master" himself.

I am yrs sincerely

L. E. Goodwin.

[3v]

P.S. I judge from my niece's letter to me, you are not only professionally acquainted with the Inge family, but on intimate terms of friendship. This also makes me very happy. They are a wonderful couple! L. E. G.