My dear Darwin

I am indeed glad to get such a cheering letter from you—and to hear that you have such a prospect of restored health.¹ Up to three months ago I was in hopes I was getting better, for I had lost all the pains in joints &c. and my pulse and general circulation was stronger;² but either from my head not being able to stand this—or because the complaint was making more progress, I became very unwell with head symptoms—such as pain in the frontal region if I stoop or cough or on the least thing trying my head; & though for some time time I have been regularly under the best doctor here I get little—if any—better. I believe it is entirely caused by congestion of all the small vessels of the brain.

about three months since my eldest boy came home promoted—having got the annual surveying promotion from the surveying ship in Mediterranean:³ he had suffered from Rheumatism—and was advised to try the hot air baths of D^r. Barter at Blarney—Co. Cork—⁴

He came back in six weeks well & strong: & the Doctor assured him that they would do my head great good— Finding him still very confident about it after sending him particulars of my case, and as I get no better here I think of going over there with my wife and eldest daughter next week.⁵ I shall also escape the bother I have with the work of my house because some builders here think nothing of breaking contracts & delaying work they have pledged themselves to do, and it is with difficulty I have been able to get common exertions made to finish it though promised me by 1^st of August, & not likely to be ready by 1^st of October.

And now having tried your patience with personal matters, I must tell you that my boy is going out as 2^nd Lieut with Mayne,⁶ and that I have been looking forward to interesting Mayne & his Naturalist in a further search for “my bones”,⁷ having been giving my boy full particulars, & I meant to urge it on Richards (Hydrographer), also—who was my second Lieut. & with me cutting them out.⁸ So with the aid of First Lord I have no doubt it will be easily managed⁹   If I were well I should enjoy going with them and being landed at Falklands, for the summer, after a months good work at the “diggings”—¹⁰ I look forward to going on Board Nassau at Portsmouth & pointing every thing out to Mayne. His vessel is a very long unhandy vessel for Gallegos, & I should not like to take her in there in such a tide & intricate channel, but there is a nice safe anchorage just outside; inside a good bank, & so thoroughly sheltered, & this removes all objection on that score. They could pitch a tent on the far shore of the River opposite the bones, & in three or four days load all their boats twice over, with a good party—but to get the bones out carefully there would be work for a month—¹¹

The Nassau is not going out for the survey of Straits of M. Her chief object is the better survey of the Smythe & Baker channels, & the best anchorages on them;¹² which is much wanted now that many large steamers go that way. at the same time she will make larger plans of some of the Harbours in the Straits. In one, through one channel in not being surveyed, a French screw line of battle ship was nearly lost and had to go back leaking to Rio Janeiro.

She will also complete the sounding of Possession Bay, & the best positions for anchoring outside the narrows; this was left very unfinished.¹³

I have seen published lists of the FitzRoy subscription.¹⁴ I had one sent me but cannot now lay my hand on it— It was through that, that I knew of your handsome contribution to it.¹⁵ I have heard twice from M^rs. FitzRoy:¹⁶ but do not know what has been done with the testimonial fund. I suppose you saw that his Son was promoted into a death vacancy soon after going out in Commodores ship last year to Africa, so he has a good start—being a Commander about 26,—as times go.¹⁷

My second boy went out in a new surveying ship to N America, under Hope; and on his arrival had a Lieuts commission given him in a death vacancy, which had afterwards to be cancelled because his ship did not get on the station till two hours after the death. ¹⁸ I was not sorry as his elder brother was not then promoted.

all my party are well. my wife joins me in kind regards to M^rs Darwin & your daughters—¹⁹ Believe me my dear Darwin | Yours most sincerely | B J Sulivan

I will take care to have written particulars prepared if I am not able myself to see Mayne & the Naturalist. Hooker²⁰ should ask Richards to further it & I will write also. B J S