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Cambridge

Sept. 17, 87

Dear Mr Darwin

The Ray Club was established in March 1837. Your father had left Cambridge before that. But there had been meetings like those of the Ray Club before the Club was formed. These were held weekly at the house

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of Prof Henslow on his invitation, and the invitation was given to all who took an interest in Natural Science. They came of course to an end when Henslow was appointed to the Rectory of Hitcham, and the establishment of the Ray Club was a consequence of his discontinuance.

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When your fathers views on Evolution first came to be discussed in Cambridge, and spoken against as opposed to religion, Henslow - a truly religious man - dismissed such criticism and spoke highly of your father. I particularly remember one such discussion at our Philosophical Society.

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I am glad in believing that you will take care to do justice to your father. His character is in such contrast to the flippancy & self-conceit now and then shown by men who pursue science.

Always, my dear Mr Darwin, truly yours

G. E. Paget