My dear Susan

I have to thank you for two business notes— I understand all about the money, & am much obliged for it.— it will just carry me through the half year.—

Thank, also, my Father for his medical advice— I have been very well since Friday, nearly as well, as during the first fortnight & am in heart again about the non-sugar plan.— I am trying the very bitter, weak, but thoroughly fermented Indian Ale, for luncheon & it suits me very well.—²

Our prize in the lottery, the China the Barberini vase, & wax releifs are all come & a very fine prize it is.—³

Poor Emma keeps very bad; I hope you will manage to stay more than one day.—⁴

Now for my main object in writing, viz to enclose M^r. Higgins⁵ very clear & sensible note (& I, likewise, enclose his former one.). I doubt whether M^r. Higgins’ information applies to the South of Kent, but, upon the whole I believe, I had better come into the Lincolnshire plan.— I keep quite of opinion, that it is very adviseable to have part of one’s property in land. Sir John Lubbock was paying a long call here yesterday, & I consulted him a bit: he tells me, that in all this part of Kent, land is most absurdly dear; but he was quite of opinion, that it was very wise to invest something in land. If my Father still approves, I will write to M^r Higgins to thank him for his note; & shall I, in my Father’s name, ask him to continue his look out & let my Father hear.— If the better one of the two estates, mentioned in his former note, remain unsold, perhaps it would do; & being within a few miles of Claythorpe, is an advantage, as, when you visit your estate you can rummage up my tenant.—⁶ How very grand we shall be, when we go arm & arm & astonish our tenants.—

Please return M^r: Higgins’ two notes.

Ever your’s | C. Darwin