My dear Huxley

I cannot tell you how sorry we are to hear about Marian, for we had thought that by this time she must have been quite well. Thank God that the paralysis after diptheria is not, as you say, permanent.—² What an extraordinary physiological fact it is that the poison should so long afterwards bring on such serious evil consequences.— It seems in this respect like scarlet fever; & we know how serious are the secondary symptoms of this accursed fever.—³

Very many & true thanks for your congratulations: I cannot say that I care sixpence for my election, but the sympathy of a few friends on the occasion has been very dear to me.—⁴ It is funny the Academy having elected a man as Corr: member in Botany, who does not know the characters of a single natural order!⁵ We are out for holidays, which to me is very serious work, for 3 weeks at the Houses of several relations; & tomorrow we go to Abinger & on the 27^th, thank Heaven back to Down & work.⁶

Ever my dear Huxley | Yours very truly | Charles Darwin

I need not say how deeply interested Emma has been about Marian.—