My dear Darwin

I have to thank you much for “the Descent of Man”.² I have often wondered when it would come out, and need not tell you how anxious I was to see it. That its perusal will give me intense pleasure I have no doubt—tho’ very probably I may not agree with you wholly. I have been too much engaged since Sunday, when I received your Book, to be able to throw myself into it, and luxuriate in it; I have only roamed a little thro’ it, somewhat with the feeling of a Miser gloating over his treasure without enjoying it. I hope very shortly to be able to give it my full attention, and anticipate no little pleasure from doing so.

How I wish we were within a moderate distance of each other, so that we might sometimes meet.

If I am in Town, as is probable in April, if not sooner, I shall certainly try to run down to Down—if only for an hour, if you are at home at the time.³

How old we get!— and yet it seems but the other day when we spent those glorious times together at Cambridge.

I have always hoped that as you grew older, you might possibly much improve in health, but I fear you cannot confirm my hopes, tho’ by this time I trust you have quite got rid of the miseries attending your fall from horseback, and I hope that misfortune did not make you give up that exercise.

I was much shocked to see Frank Parkers death in the paper.⁴ He seemed as likely to live as most men, unless he met with an accident on horseback, when his great weight would tell against him.

We have been here since Nov^r, and all had excellent health. I have been very busy in making a large garden out of the most wretched field I ever had to deal with. By means of sea Sand and a Profusion of Sewage Manure I have succeeded beyond my expectation, & we have already an abundance of most things.

I suppose we shall migrate Northwards in April, unless we c^d let our house for six months, when ⁠⟨⁠w⁠⟩⁠e should leave at once; but this is not likely.⁵ My Wife⁶ desires her kindest regards to M^rs Darwin. I wish she would write me a line saying how you are and also how M^rs Wedgewood⁷ is.

Ever Dear Darwin | Yours affec^ly | W. D Fox