My dear M^r. Norton

We both thank you very sincerely for your most kind letter.¹ This marriage delights us, but we feared that it would cause much pain & disappointment to Sara’s friends in your country.² Sara is a most charming woman, & we felt, even before she accepted my son, as if we were somehow near relations. My son is a most fortunate man, & as he thinks so himself in the most vehement manner, I believe he will make her a good husband.

I can answer for his having a most sweet temper. They have also many tastes in common. Sara seems to have a wonderful number of nice friends, as I judge from parts of some of the letters of congratulation which I have heard,—especially one from M^r Lowell in Madrid & from M^r. Simon.—³

I beg you to give my kindest remembrances to all your party, whom I know, & if I may be permitted to the Miss Ashburners⁴ & Miss Theodora Sedgwick. It was very good of them to send us a kind message about the marriage.—

Believe me | Yours ever very sincerely | Charles Darwin