Dear M^r. Appleton

I was much surprised a few days since by receiving your kind present of Fremont’s Expedition,²—a work of which I had seen extracts & had been for some time wishing to read—so that it is a most desirable present in itself & I feel very much gratified at your kind remembrance of us.— M^rs. Darwin & the children are all very well & we are leading our usual quiet life in our quiet village of Down.— Some not long time since we had a visit from M^rs. Mackintosh & Robert, with only the Baby, as the other children were a little unwell.³ Your sister looked decidedly better than when I last saw her before, but yet sadly delicate— I hope to hear of her paying you a visit at Boston this summer.— Robert has at last finished his collected works of Sir James, & I am delighted to hear that they are likely to sell well; it always has appeared to me rather a hazardous undertaking in a money point of view.⁴

With Emma’s kind remembrances pray believe me, with thanks | yours very sincerely | C. Darwin