My dear Darwin

The time has come for our payment to S.A. M. for our orphan Button.¹ I have sent the amount.

I wish you could have given a better account of yourself.² I should think your brain had done work enough, and has now fairly earned a rest from all but quiet and interesting occupation requiring little thought, and only for short intervals. I find I have to avoid much, that not long since would not have tried my head at all. If my right leg was not a little weak I thing I should go in for a tricycle but I fear to risk it, and I can walk three or four miles pretty well.

I am looking forward to reading the life of Lyell which I have sent for.³ I am curious to see if he described in any way the Meeting at Geological S^o. when you read your “Corral Island” paper. and he gave in his adhesion to your views at once.⁴ I well recollect it as it was,—besides the interest in your views being so readily accepted—the only meeting of that Society I ever attended.

We have had a very sick house. one of my daughters and my married daughter and. a niece of my wife here with her husband—Hamond’s eldest son—being all laid up together.⁵ The latter well enough to go home but our two daughters still unwell the youngest M^rs. Trench. having come after an illness for change. They are however all getting much better.

with our kind regards to M^rs. Darwin and all your party | Believe me | very sincerely yours | B. J. Sulivan