My very dear friend

In the midst of my own happiness I have been daily thinking of writing to the one of all others who would rejoice with me, when I was startled at finding in the paper, the death of your daughter in law, My dear dear Darwin I cannot tell you how I feel for Frank & Mrs Darwin & yourself.¹ It seems to open up my own all too recent loss, & to depress me utterly— poor poor Frank my heart bleeds for him: they were so happy, & she so loveable— how I envied them a few months ago!—²

It was not 5 minutes after I had heard from my son Willy of poor Sibson’s death, that I stumbled across that of Mrs Frank. in the Times. & it quite upset me.³

We are staying with Miss Smith of Jordan hill & leave tomorrow, to join Mrs Lyell Rosamund Arthur & Mr Symonds for a short time in the Western Highlands when we go to visit Sir J. P. Grant at Aviemore. & then Sir J. Colvill near Dunfermline before going south.⁴ Please write me a few lines addressed

c/o— Sir J. P. Grant K.C B.

The Doune Aviemore

N B

telling me how Frank is, & of what poor Mrs F. died.⁵ A very few lines will be enough; & give the dear fellow my most affectionate sympathy.— Oh dear, oh dear, what a weary weary world it is, & yet I should be the last to complain, for my wife is indeed a most good kind prudent & affectionate creature who makes me very happy.

Ever my dear old friend | Yr sincere & affec friend | Jos D Hooker