My dear M^r Cupples

I thank you for your pleasant & interesting letter,² & indeed I ought to have thanked you before for a former good letter, & report of Victor Carus’ lecture,³ (which I was glad to see) & for something else, but I forget what, as I am writing away from home, having gone away for rest, of which I am much in need.⁴

I am very glad to hear that my suspicion about D^r Stirling was quite groundless:⁵ I was a little mortified at so able a man writing with such loathing contempt of me; not but what I am pretty well used to this.

I have not seen Emerson,⁶ but from all that I have heard he must be a charming man. I doubt, however, whether we should have enough in common to interest each other; & indeed I have hardly strength to talk to anyone with any spirit. During the last 2 or 3 years we have seen several yankees, & as a rule they seem a most pleasant set. We saw a good deal of the Nortons, friends of Emerson, & were charmed with them.⁷

I am extra stupid & tired & with my best thanks, believe me yours sincerely | Ch. Darwin

Yesterday at dinner I was talking to my hosts, as chance had it, about you, & was telling them to be sure & read “Tappys’ chickens”.⁸