My dear Darwin

‘This comes hoping you are well’ & for no other purpose than to say as much. I am just back from seven weeks idleness at Littlehampton with my wife & children the first time I have had a holiday of any extent with them for years.¹

We are all flourishing—the babies particularly so—and I find myself rather loth to begin grinding at the mill again. There is a vein of laziness in me which crops out uncommonly strong in your godson²—who is about the idlest, jolliest young four year old I know—

You will have been as much grieved as I have been about dear old Hooker—³ According to the last accounts however he is mending & I hope to see him in pristine vigour again before long

My wife is gone to bed or she would join me in kindest regards & remembrances to M^rs Darwin & your family—

Ever yours faithfully | T H Huxley