My dear William.—

Whenever your head feels comfortable will you read the enclosed documents 1, 2 & 3; but there is no hurry—¹ It is a horrid bore that the U. States Funded Loan, (which I took at your suggestion) are likely to be redeemed.— You will see that I have been compelled to sell 1000$. I told the manager of the U. Bank, I w^d consider what to do with the remainder of 14,000$. Can you advise me? Investments seem all so bad that I am inclined to think that I had better leave the 14,000$ invested in the U. States Government bonds & take whatever interest it may offer.—² What do you think? I hope that you & Sara³ are fairly well.—

Your affect Father | C. Darwin

P.S I was glad to get your Malvern letter about worms—⁴ I suspect that worms cannot live where roots come near to surface, as they cannot burrow deep enough, when the weather is very dry or very cold.—