My dear Darwin

I do not see the least good in a deputation and as you suggest, I doubt if M^r Gladstone would receive one at present¹

It appears to me that far the best course would be for you to send the Memorial yourself to M^r Gladstone accompanied by a private note—² You have drawn up the Memorial & the people who have signed it have done so knowing it was to be sent to the Prime Minister & then returned it to you—

You are therefore justified in seeing that it reaches its destination in any way you think best and I have no doubt whatever that sending it yourself is the best way— M^r. Gladstone can do a thing very gracefully when he is so minded and unless I greatly mistake he will be so minded if you write to him—

We have had all the chicks (& the husbands of such as are therewith provided) round the Christmas table once more and a pleasant sight they were though I say it that should’n’t— Only the granddaughter left out the young woman not yet having reached the age when change & society are valuable³

I don’t know what you think about about anniversaries— I like them being always minded to drink my cup of life to the bottom & take my chance of the sweets & bitters

With the warmest good wishes for the New Year from all of us to all of you | Ever Yours faithfully | T H Huxley

P.S. My wife⁴ is a little better. It is therefore with the utmost difficulty that I can restrain her from waiting upon everybody—