My dear M^r Darwin

I blame myself much for not having fulfilled my intention sooner to have written to thank you for your very kind and prompt reply to me about the Pigeons.¹ Lady Napier was so very much obliged, as you just gave her the information she required.²

I have been spending about a fortnight here with Leonora and her little girls,³ and find it a nice healthy place for children, though as we are 13 miles from a Railroad it is in a very primitive state, and very dead, without much pretty scenery. The sea is always however a pleasant object, and we search for shells among the crag cliffs.

I hope that you and M^rs Darwin and all your circle have enjoyed Malvern and benefitted by it—as I think you were going there when I heard from you.⁴ We return to the Bunbury’s house Barton Hall in a few days where we have left Papa and Susan⁵   We have good accounts from Scotland where are still both houses of Lyell but we are looking forward to gathering in London early next month.⁶

With our united best regards to all your party Believe me dear Mr Darwin with many thanks for the trouble you took to answer my questions   yours very sincerely   Joanna B. Horner