My dear old Friend

For surely I may call you so, as you and one other, are all left of our friendships at a time when life was glorious.² It is not bad now tho’ I am nearly 73—and few have been happier than I have. I rejoiced to hear from your Son at Southampton³ that you had all a most happy family party at Christmas— (How I should have liked a peep at you all from behind a curtain).

May you have many happy Christmas’s—and therefore many happy returns of your Birthday.

I saw one day, that you were born in 1809— I am glad to hear you are four years younger than myself— I always thought you were only two.

We were so glad to hear of W Es marriage.⁴ He is just the man to make a splendid Husband—and seems as happy as possible. You and I have been so happy in our marriages that we can only wonder all do ⁠⟨⁠no⁠⟩⁠t marry. But it is not always that a man can meet with his double.

We have an anxious house this winter in nursing one of my daughters who I believe slept in a damp bed last summer, and has never been well since. We have feared (& still do) consumption—but all the D^rs say there is no really consumptive symtoms, but that there is inflammatory action of the air cells, complicated with Asthma.⁵

A fortnight since, my only comfort in watching her, was that Asthma was the then agent of evil, and so it proved—and ever since she has been improving, but I have more fear than hope of the issue

I have, like all the world, (except I hope you and yours) been laid up with Bronchitis, and have not been out of doors this year. However I am much better, and we are longing for sun and warm air for our dear Invalid.

But why bother you with these troubles— When I sat down I only meant to congratulate you and M^rs Darwin on your Birthday, and wish you all blessings thro the remainder of your life.

M^rs Fox⁶ joins most heartily with me in these wishes

Ever Dear old Darwin | Yours affect^ly | W. D. Fox