My dear William

Your clothes have been found & sent off.— We have received your nice Monday letter.— I am glad to hear about rifle-club: I think it very proper that every man sh^d. learn the use of arms to defend himself or country at a crisis.

You will have to reflect soon & seriously about your summer-plans.— I sh^d like you to have one pleasure excursion. Indeed we sh^d like you to have no end of pleasure; if that was not a bad beginning for one who must work, or be a poor man all his life.— In 1^st. place there is Ilkley in July.² Secondly Aunt Catherine has just written to ask whether you would like to go with her in middle of June to north of Scotland, for about 5 weeks.³ Mary Parker will probably be of party.⁴ They will stay chiefly at a few different places, & not travel very much. This tour w^d. have advantage of not costing you hardly anything. It would not do to tell Aunt Catherine that you would go, & then change. Thirdly, there is your Swiss Tour: I presume that this would be practicable for two young men even in war-time.⁵ But it would cost money. It would never do to have both tours & Ilkley; for you would do nothing all summer.— But whether you could afford the Swiss Tour, I know not: if you worked pretty hard I would help you a little with cash.— Fourthly, there is the suggestion of your reading at the Lakes; the country is charming; & if you thought you really could work, I would gladly pay the tutor’s fee (What is it?) & you could come to us at Ilkley at close. No doubt that reading with Tutor in first vacation would get you splendidly on.⁶ Can you form any opinion whether your Tutor thinks you have a turn for mathematicks? Even if you were not able to take high degree, a course of mathematicks well followed up, must be an admirable training.—⁷ Consider well; & then come soon to some decision.— You are lad of gumption & will choose well & honestly.—

I have sent 6 first chapters to Printer, & hope to have finished early in July, if health permits.—

I have invented splendid game at Billiard; put 2 coloured balls on Table & play for canons⁸ only—misses to count 1—spot the coloured balls when accidentally pocketed—play next time with white balls when pocketed up or down, out of Balk semicircle.—⁹

Your affect.—Father | C. Darwin

Your shirt was at the wash & waistcoat on the pegs.¹⁰