Madam

I will not attempt to thank your Ladyship for all your kindness, for it is beyond my power— I am pleased to hear that my Books have at all interested you; but I fear my little Orchid book will be dry.² This summer when at the sea, I meant merely to write a paper for some scientific journal, but the subject grew on me till my M.S. got rather too long for a paper.³ I am convinced that orchids have a wicked power of witchcraft, for I ought all these months to be working at the dry old bones of poultry, pigeons & rabbits, instead of intensely admiring beautiful orchids.— I mention all this, because, though I can hardly bear to write the words, I must beg your Ladyship not to send any more of your treasures; though perhaps at some future period I may indulge myself with the examination of a few more Orchids.— I will not forget your Ladyships most generous offer to give me other flowers, if I require them for observation, & I have no doubt that I shall some time be a beggar again.—

I am truly obliged to your Ladyship for taking the trouble to write to M^r. Veitch; who has already sent me some orchids & with much generosity refused all payment for cut flowers.—

I see in “Cottage Gardener” of this morning, an account of the beauties of Dangstein, which I shall now read with interest.⁴

If your Ladyship should meet M^r Knox I hope that you will remember me to him: I spent many years ago a very pleasant morning with him & Sir Philip Egerton at the Zoological Gardens.—⁵

I beg leave to remain | with cordial thanks | your Ladyships | sincerely obliged | Charles Darwin

Since writing I have reason to hope that I shall receive a flower of Mormodes from M^r Rucker of Wandsworth⁶