My dear Huxley

I have received the enclosed from Bell,¹ which please read & burn.— I think Lindley has a higher claim than Westwood; but I had fancied that it was not thought advisable to give the medal on two following years for same branch of nat. science:² if this impression is quite erroneous, I shall say nothing about Westwood except (as you remarked in regard to Hancock) as a reminder for a future year.— I sh^d. moreover be considerably perplexed if I had myself to settle only between Hancock & Westwood.—³

When we meet at Council⁴ I shall hear what you think about Zoologist versus Botanist for this year.— I have written to Bell to above effect viz that I agree to Lindley’s superior claims, excepting on score of Zoologist having his turn.— I was delighted at your note about Lyell⁵

Most truly yours | C. Darwin

I quoted to Bell what you say about Hancock.—

So poor De la Beche is at last gone.⁶