[1]

31 Mar 1875

My dear Mr Ffinden

I reluctantly came to the conclusion that it would be useless for me to attempt to restore harmony between you & Mr Darwin, & to remove the misapprehensions which

[1v]

have unfortunately arisen about school &c, because in your last letter you appear to consider that Mr Darwin's having corresponded with the Council Office is in itself an act of discourtesy which requires a direct apology.

I feel sure that in writing direct to the Council office Mr Darwin intended no

[2]

discourtesy to you, but I cannot myself see in it anything which requires an apology, & under these circumstances I felt that it was impossible, at least for me, to carry the matter any further.

I did not therefore speak to him about the repairs to the floor of the infant school, as I should otherwise have done.

As you have written again, I

[2v]

hope you will not consider me going too far if I say, that I cannot help thinking that an assurance from Mr Darwin that in corresponding with the Council Office, he did so as a mere matter of business, & not intending any want of courtesy would meet the case.

If you took that view I would at once enquire into

[3]

the other matter & having known Mr Darwin intimately for so many years, I shall be much surprised if it does not admit of an explanation, which might remove any coolness now existing.

[illeg] not say how glad I should be if I could succeed in restoring harmony between

[3v]

you & Mr Darwin, whom I am sure you should find, whatever his religious opinions may be, an excellent friend & neighbour. Indeed your own expressions about him encourage me in hoping that this may be possible.

Believe me yours very truly

John Lubbock

Rev. G.S. Ffinden