My dear Sir

I thank you sincerely for your kind & frank letter which has interested me greatly.²

What a singular & varied career you have already run. Did you keep any journal or notes in N. Zealand for it strikes me that with your rare powers of writing you might make a very interesting work descriptive of a colonist’s life in N. Zealand.³

I return your printed letter which you might like to keep.⁴ It has amused me, especially the part in which you criticize yourself.⁵ To appreciate the latter part fully I ought to have read the Bishop’s letter which seems to have been very rich.⁶ You tell me not to answer your note but I c^d not resist the wish to thank you for your letter.

With every good wish | believe me my dear Sir | yours sincerely | Ch. Darwin