My dear Sir

I do not like that your letter of the 4^th to General Sabine should remain longer unacknowledged²   I am confident it will gratify him when he is able to read it. Last Wednesday’s exertion was too much for him,³ which you will not wonder at when I tell you he came from his bed to which he had been confined by influenza. For the first 3 or 4 days he had his letters read to him and dictated answers, but afterwards felt himself the necessity of repose. D^r Bence Jones⁴ hopes to be able to send us Friday to Hastings for change of air; and I hope he will there be able to read,—your letter first and afterwards others of the same and more recent date.

Sincerely yours | Elisabeth Sabine

Our best wishes to M^rs Darwin & yourself for the improvement of your health; which I am sure you reciprocate