My dear Fox

It is a long time since we have had any communication,— I daresay you will be glad to hear how I am going on, & I wish to hear of M^rs. Fox and yourself.— My strength is gradually, with a good many oscillations, increasing; so that I have been able to work an hour or two several days in the week— I have at last to my great joy sent the last page of M.S. of the Bird Part to the printer.—¹ I am forced to live, however, very quietly and am able to see scarcely anybody & cannot even talk long with my nearest relations. I was at one time in despair & expected to pass my whole life as a miserable useless valetudinarian but I have now better hopes of myself— You see I treat you, like a very old good friend, as you have always been to me, & write at great length about my own poor carcase.

As for news of any kind, I am not in the way to give any to any body— We have the pleasure, at present, of a visit from Susan, who is in a very flourishing state of health, which for a Darwin is something wonderful.—but I will say nothing more about health, & as a consequence I must say nothing more about any of my Family— I will just add that Emma expects to be confined in March² —a period I most devoutly wish over— Our little boy is a noble fat little fellow & my Father has christened him Sir Tunberry Clumsy.—³

Pray let me hear soon how you are all going on.— I hope this very severe winter has not much affected M^rs. Fox and that your lungs have stood it pretty well.— My dear old friend you have much to support.

Yours affectionly | Ch. Darwin

PS. | If you attend at all to Nat. Hist—I send you this P.S. as a memento, that I continue to collect all kinds of facts, about “Varieties & Species” for my some-day work to be so entitled—the smallest contributions, thankfully accepted—descriptions of offspring of all crosses between all domestic birds & animals dogs, cats &c &c very valuable— Dont forget, if your half-bred African Cat should die, that I should be very much obliged, for its carcase sent up in little hamper for skeleton.— it or any cross-bred pidgeon, fowl, duck, &c &c will be more acceptable than the finest haunch of Venison or the finest turtle.— Perhaps all this will only bothers you— So I will add no more, except, should you ever have opportunity when in Derbyshire, do enquire for me, from some person you told me of whether offspring of male muscovy & female common duck, resembles offspring of female muscovy & male common— How many hybrid eggs are produced.—

P.S. | I enclose a Pamphlet on Oaths by Hensleigh Wedgwood.—⁴ Should any fitting occasion happen, would you object to ask Sir. P. Egerton to look over it.— Hensleigh is very anxious for as many M.P: as possible, to consider the subject.—⁵