Edinburgh
20th May 1870
My Dear Professor Schaarschmidt,
Many thanks for your kind note about Mr McLaren, and especially for the suggestion about the Privatissimum[2].
This note will be brought to you by Mr McLaren himself whom you will find I believe already equipped with a good knowledge of such parts of philosophy as are cultivated at Edinburgh where he has just closed a distinguished curriculum.
I should mention that I have not the pleasure of being personally acquainted with Mr McLaren but have been interested in [sic] his behalf by the very strong recommendations of my intimate friend Mr Lindsay the University Examiner in Philosophy.
I hope to be able to send you soon the results of my present contest. The chances are still very doubtful. Many thanks for your trouble with Lange. I feared he would hardly remember me.
With kindest regards to Mrs. Schaarschmidt, Fritz & Hetta
I am yours very truly
W R Smith