Dear Darwin

M^rs. FitzRoy & I left town on Thursday —but I returned last night in order to meet a friend today and attend to some business tomorrow morning. I shall return to my wife and little ones either tomorrow evening or Tuesday. My silence, and non-appearance in Gower Street, have been caused by my own attention having been extremely occupied lately by subjects unconnected with our work, and which have engaged me so continually that I have not even yet read your volume.¹ I have dipped into it here and there—but have reserved its steady perusal for the ensuing fortnight in the country. My wife has it now with her—and from what we have seen—in various glimpses—I have no doubt whatever that I shall be deeply interested by reading it attentively (much of it requires close thinking I apprehend) when undisturbed by daily, or rather hourly calls upon one’s time. I cannot think that there is an expression in it—referring to me personally—which I could wish were not in it—at all events neither I nor my wife have yet lighted upon anything that induces me to doubt in the smallest degree that I shall not be thoroughly at ease in that respect.

When I have read it through—I will write fully & freely to you on the subject.

I hope you have seen the Athenæum of yesterday. ²

After church I shall endeavour to see you—and more especially to make my bow to M^rs. Darwin—but—for fear you sh^d be absent from home—I prepare these few lines to be left at your door.

Sincerely yours | Robt. FitzRoy

PS. We stay at Bromham near Bedford—M^r. Rice Trevor’s place—during the summer.