My dear Innes

I am much obliged for yr kind & pleasant letter, & am equally surprized & pleased that you have liked my big book—¹ I thought that it w^d have been too dull for any one but a professed naturalist.

Many thanks for yr notes especially for the case of the pointer, which I think you told me of before, & I have often puzzled myself in trying to remember how I heard it.² Luckily for me naturalists do not seem to think that I have cut my throat in the suicidal manner which you suppose, for I know of one great convert thro’ this book in England, & I am assured that there are many in Germany.³

Whenever you like you can send me the balance on the Nat. school acct due from Mr Horsman, but I do not care when as I have already had to advance more than that sum.⁴ I fear there will be much difficulty this year about the school funds as both Mr Stephens⁵ & Horsman neglected the school & it was found much out of repair, & has cost a good deal.

We have returned from the I. of Wight only about 10 days ago, & I have not seen, tho’ I have called on Mr Robinson who has also been away.⁶ I shd like to hear your opinion whether I might safely pass over the school accounts to him, as it plagues me keeping 3 sets of accounts.⁷ I suppose you can form no opinion how long he will be here. The clergyman also I think w^d best do the begging for the school, & begging there must be.

Lord Cranworth’s death is a great loss to the parish.⁸

I cannot think of any parish news to tell you, except that Mr Smith of Down Court appears in a very delicate state of health.⁹ We saw Sir John & Lady L. yesterday & both appeared very flourishing. If I possibly can, as I expect will be the case I shall give my vote for Sir John in person, as I think he w^d prefer it to my pairing even with such an arch Tory as yourself—¹⁰

With both our kind regards to Mrs Innes¹¹ believe me my dear Innes | yours very faithfully | Ch. Darwin