My dear M^r Darwin,

Oh yes, I had noticed in the Papers the announcement of your brother’s death, and not without a sincere sympathy for yourself, and any of his surviving relations whom his loss would affect.² For so amiable a man doubtless man, both relatives and friends, will feel cause to mourn. I feel sure that you will have seen an account of him, which appeared in the Daily News, greatly flattering and honorable to him and to yourself.³ It seemed to me the perfection of an obituary notice, from the hand of one who had a thorough acquaintance with both of you, and a mind of his own thoroughly competent to estimate the genuine qualities of both— The tone, the spirit, of it, and the noble appreciation of the great benefits which your genius has conferred upon us all, made me fancy that I saw in it the handy work of a certain Professor, with whom I have the honour of enjoying a friendly acquaintance.⁴

I shall look with a pleasant expectation for your appearance at Heene accompanied by M^rs. Darwin; and now that the wet and stormy weather of the last fortnight has given way to dry north winds it is not impossible that a run to the sea side may afford you a healthful change from “Copy” and printer’s boys—⁵

I do not now ask you after your sons, the two I know, because I shall soon have the opportunity of doing that in person— Perhaps George is a York I say to myself amongst the distinguished men assembled there.⁶ I read a fairly long summary of Sir J. Lubbock’s Address in the Paper yesterday.⁷ It will be published in a separate form, I suppose, and entire.⁸ Then I shall get it— It seemed to be most interesting as well as instructive—generous to every body, and discriminative about almost every thing.—

Now good bye for the present; compliments to M^rs. Darwin; and kind regards to any of your present circle whom I have the fortune to know—from | Yours very sincerely | Anthony Rich