Dear Charles Darwin

(For I really cannot address you in any other way)²

Yesterday I read, in a leading Article of the Times, “Of all our living Men of Science, none have laboured longer, or to more splendid purpose than M^r Darwin”,³ & it recalled to my mind, your boyish assertion made many many years ago, that “if ever Eddowe’s Newspaper alluded to you, as “our deserving Fellow Townsman”, your ambition would have been amply gratified”—⁴

So you may believe with what sincere gratification, I see your fondest hopes, more than gratified, & realized— You have hosts of friends, but few older, or more sincere than myself, for you are associated with the happiest memories of my youth, & I have the most affectionate recollections of the name of Darwin, as connected with all that was good & pleasant— How my poor Father⁵ would have rejoiced in your “splendid success”, & I can fancy his carrying that Newspaper about, & reading it to every body!—

It is a long time since I have heard any thing of you, but I hope you are tolerably well, as I see you are able to receive “Deputations”—⁶

Let me hope we may live to meet again, meanwhile believe me always | Your’s very affectionately | S. H. Haliburton