My dear William

We got your rather short note this morning. I am surprised at your having killed even one bird, for I suppose it was nearly the first on the wing you ever shot at, & partridges are not very easy birds, I think.— We had terrible bother with your mare; she was so terrified that she tried to leap a door 8 ft high (so Parslow reports) & got her front legs over. Parslow saw her leap like a flash of lightning over a five-bar gate & go off into endless space; but she was caught near Southend.—¹ I have sent Sam Jones over with her these two days; for she would not eat there ie Beckenham: but oddly enough she is pretty quiet as long as anyone is with her, & Jones sat on her back, whilst a tram went under a bridge on which she was.—² I hope we shall anyhow improve her; & I am as loth as you can be to part with her.—

We can guess about your linen; but please write to Ernest³ & ask what plate & knives & forks you ought to have, as Parslow could get better & cheaper articles than you could.—⁴ I have not yet arranged about the Bank; & if I do not go to London, I must send you in registered letter some money.— I am not sure whether it would not be simplest plan for you to have account at Union Bank, for they could send you money in registered letters & you could, I sh^d. think pay any largish account, as your tutor’s bill by a draft on your London Banker, which sounds very grand.—

Pouter⁵ is pretty hearty again & very eager over Homoptera, Hemiptera & Orthoptera! & he relishes much these big word. Franky is mad over beetles, & he froths at the mouth sometimes in telling me his success.⁶ We have been very anxious about Lizzie; who for several days has had weak, irregular pulse with other symptoms exactly like the others; but today she is extraordinarily well; but I fear it will return.—⁷ How strange & unhappy it is that now we have had five children all failing in precisely the same way.—⁸

I am very hard at work on the abstract of my Book, which will make a large-sized pamphlet.

Do not forget Donkeys & Horses stripes.—⁹

If you go out shooting look at Birds’ feet & see if any dirt sticks to them: I want to collect such dirt, & see if by any splendid chance a plant would come up, for then could I not carry seeds across the sea!—¹⁰

Farewell | My dear old man | Yours affect | C. Darwin

N.B | Tell us, as soon as you know certainly when you go to Cambridge.—