_The autograph of this letter was purchased from Mr. Tregaskis by Mr. Festing Jones_, _and subsequently presented by him to the Museum at Christ Church_. _The letter cannot be dated with certainty_, _but since Butler’s dialogue was published in December_, 1862, _and it is at least probable that the copy of the_ PRESS _which contained it was sent to Darwin shortly after it appeared_, _we may conclude with tolerable certainty that the letter was written in March_, 1863. _Further light is thrown on the controversy by a correspondence which took place between Butler and Darwin in_ 1865, _shortly after Butler’s return to England_. _During that year Butler had published a pamphlet entitled_ THE EVIDENCE FOR THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST AS GIVEN BY THE FOUR EVANGELISTS CRITICALLY EXAMINED, _of which he afterwards incorporated the substance into_ THE FAIR HAVEN. _Butler sent a copy of this pamphlet to Darwin_, _and in due course received the following reply_:— _Down_, _Bromley_, _Kent_. _September_ 30 [1865]. _My dear Sir_,—_I am much obliged to you for so kindly sending me your Evidences_, _etc._ _We have read it with much interest_. _It seems to me written with much force_, _vigour_, _and clearness_; _and the main argument to me is quite new_. _I particularly agree with all you say in your preface_. _I do not know whether you intend to return to New Zealand_, _and_, _if you are inclined to write_, _I should much like to know what your future plans are_. _My health has been so bad during the last five months that I have been confined to my bedroom_. _Had it been otherwise I would have asked you if you could have spared the time to have paid us a visit_; _but this at present is impossible_, _and I fear will be so for some time_. _With my best thanks for your present_, _I remain_, _My dear Sir_, _Yours very faithfully_, _Charles Darwin_. _To this letter Butler replied as follows_:— 15 _Clifford’s Inn_, _E.C._ _October_ 1_st_, 1865.