Dear Ramsay

I am extremely much obliged to you for writing, but I had heard the news from Lyell, in a letter full of grief, the day before.¹ It is really under every point of view dreadful. What a loss to his singularly numerous friends & to Natural Science! The gaps left by the dead are generally soon, too soon, filled up; but this assuredly will not be the case with poor Forbes. His loss will be felt for long years. What attainments he united; & what a career cut short; I had forgotten till today how young he was.² As for his poor wife I pity her from my soul; I have lost a child, & I can, therefore, in some degree realise what death in its worst form is.

Once again I thank you much for writing.— I heard, also, from Hooker in a letter full of deep grief.³

Yours very truly | C. Darwin