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Summary
Sympathises with family on death of WDF’s mother [Anne Fox née Darwin].
Sends details of fees at Moor Park hydropathic establishment.
Transcription
Down Bromley Kent
Ap. 10th
My dear Fox
I anticipated from your former letter that your mother could not possibly survive long.f1 You must yourself have been quite prepared; but when the blow comes it is always shocking. Pray give my kindest remembrances & sincere sympathy to your sisters. What a happy time I once spent at Osmaston.f2 How all things are changed for us in this world.—
I am extremely glad that you going to attend to your own health; for I am sure it must want care, after all you have gone through. Dr Lane’s address is “Moor Park, Farnham, Surrey”.f3 He has two tarifs, 4 guineas per week for the better & larger bed-rooms & 3 guineas for the smaller, but I believe these are good.f4 There is Bathman to add, & 5s per week if fire in Bedroom.— I think if anyone goes as friend it is only 2 guineas per week— I do not think I have ever heard charge for man & wife.— Had you not better write to Dr. Lane; I would under similar circumstances openly.— I am sure they would be very glad to have you: for they were much taken with you.f5 In my opinion it is a very nice place.—
It will be splendid if you come to see us at Ilkley.f6
Believe me, My dear Fox | Your old & affectionate friend | Ch. Darwin
Footnotes
- f1
- Ann Fox died on 7 April 1859 (Darwin pedigree).
- f2
- Osmaston Hall, near Derby, had been the home of the Fox family. CD had spent three weeks there in 1828 (see Correspondence vol. 1, letter to W. D. Fox, [October 1828]).
- f3
- Edward Wickstead Lane was the proprietor of the Moor Park hydropathic establishment.
- f4
- For the two weeks CD stayed at Moor Park in February 1859, he recorded having paid £9. 6s. (Account book (Down House MS)).
- f5
- Fox visited CD at Moor Park in April 1858 (see letter to W. D. Fox, 8 May [1858]).
- f6
- CD was planning to undergo the water-cure at an establishment in Ilkley, Yorkshire, in the summer.