My dear Fox

Hooker & Henslow both applied to me to suggest as many names of persons as possible to whom to send the circular about M^r Ralfs; & I gave yours amongst many others.¹ From all that I have heard from Hooker I believe the case to be one deserving of aid; but with the many claims which you must have on you, I, if in your place, would not give without perfectly convenient.—

I have not much news to tell you about myself; I am working slowly & steadily at my Abstract & making progress & hope to print in the Spring. My stomach has been bad enough, & I have lately spent a very pleasant week at Moor Park, & Hydropathy & idleness did me wonderful good & I walked one day 4$\frac{1}{2}$ miles,—a quite Herculean feat for me!²

William, my son, is now at Christ Coll. in the rooms above yours. My old Gyp. Impey was astounded to hear that he was my son & very simply asked “why has he been long married?” What pleasant hours, those were when I used to come & drink coffee with you daily! I am reminded of old days by my third Boy having just begun collecting Beetles, & he caught the other day Brachinus crepitans of immotal Whittlesea-mere memory.— My blood boiled with old ardour, when he caught a Licinus,—a prize unknown to me.³

You say nothing about yourself, so I hope that you are pretty well. I had heard of your Mother’s severe illness.⁴ My children are tolerably well for them, & this as much as I can ever say.

Farewell my dear Fox. I often think what a good man you were to come down & see me at Moor Park.⁵ Farewell | Yours most sincerely | C. Darwin

Henslow is coming here for a couple of nights on the 25^th.—⁶

If you have ever opportunity do not forget about parentage of Dun Horses. Did you ever see Donkey with double shoulder stripe? I would give some guineas to see one.— Look at any Donkey which you may meet.—

Also, did you ever see black Grey-hound (of any sub-breed) with tan feet, & a tan-coloured spot over inner corner of each eye; I want such case, & such must exist because theory tells me it ought!⁷

Adios my dear old friend