To W. E. Darwin 3 October [1877]1
Down, | Beckenham, Kent. | Railway Station | Orpington. S.E.R.
Oct. 3d
My dear William
I enclose my marriage present. I fear that Sara will think it atrociously unsentimental; but I hope useful.2 Your old father wishes you both with all his soul as much happiness as this world can give.
My dear son | Yours affectionately | Charles Darwin
Footnotes
The year is established by the reference to William’s forthcoming marriage (see n. 2, below).
Sara Sedgwick had accepted William Darwin’s proposal of marriage at the end of September (see letter to Sara Sedgwick, 29 September [1877]). William and Sara were married on 29 November 1877 (Emma Darwin’s diary (DAR 242)). CD’s gift was 300 guineas (£315; CD’s Classed accounts (Down House MS), 3 October 1877).
Summary
Encloses his marriage present, which he fears Sara [Darwin née Sedgwick] will think "atrociously unsentimental", but he hopes useful.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-11165
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- William Erasmus Darwin
- Sent from
- Down
- Source of text
- DAR 92: A43
- Physical description
- ALS 1p
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 11165,” accessed on 18 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-11165.xml
letter
