My dear Darwin

As I feared was the case, I have no letters or papers of your G^t Grandfather of any interest.² They have been kept merely for the handwriting—and one for Hooping Cough.

I think there is an interesting paper upon D^r Dⁿ in the Encyclopædia Britannica which yr Father might like to look over.³ D^r E Darwin has so freely been called an Atheist &^c. that some of his Poems may be cited in answer. Do you know this ode—entitled “The Folly of Atheism” Beginning

“Dull Atheist! could a giddy dance

Of atoms lawless hurled,

Construct so wonderful, so wise

So harmonized a World”⁴

It is not one that would quite suit the German Mind.

It is said that Coleridge, after an interview with him, said, “he was a wonderful man—& every thing but a Christian”— or some such expression.⁵

I wish much I could be of any use to your Father, but I am a generation too late.

I have often heard my Father & Mother talk of him.⁶ There is one very remarkable story which I have often heard from my Father, as shewing the D^rs. great sagacity & Daring.

I believe my Father was of the party. At M^r Joseph Strutts a Dinner party was assembled at which the D^r was present—when M^r Strutt asked him to see his Butler who was said to be dying.⁷ He found him on the point of suffocation from Lung disease—& fast dying— He sent for a Kettle of Boiling water—bared the mans breast & poured it over Lungs. The effect was magical at the time—& the man got well.

I dont know what our Modern D^rs would say to this mild practise.

I hope your Father will give himself time to really look into the D^rs. life. There are many works which touch upon it more or less—many very unfairly.

In much haste Yours very truly | W D Fox

We are just off into Warwickshire for a fortnight.⁸