Dear Darwin,

You would have seen that I was not unprepared for the upset of my idea that there were barnacles on a rock high on a Scotch Hill.¹ The articles looked to me so much like barnacles that I was deceived. I could not guess how they could have got up there.

I had not heard of the burglary at High Elms.² It is a pity the butler had not means of winging (or rather legging) one or two of the birds. In case any of your 67 visitors³ should have borne away an outline of your house, and the readiest means of nocturnal access, I should think the alarms I had, and still use on occasion, would be serviceable. They can be got, either with cases of fireworks or with maroons, from Wilkinson Gunmaker Pall Mall—⁴

You must have much enjoyed your visit to Cambridge, and your son. I am glad to hear his marriage has been so happy.⁵

I have not had any late accounts of poor Alice.⁶ I fear there is no improvement to report, or it would have come. I know she used to be much cheered and comforted by M^rs. Darwins frequent visits to her.

With all our kindest regards | Believe me | Faithfully yours | J Brodie Innes