To G. V. Reed 12 November [1860]1
Down, Bromley Kent.—
Nov. 12th
My dear Sir
We returned on Saturday night from Eastbourne where we were detained by another severe attack of illness in my poor girl.2 She has rallied surprisingly & stood the journey very well; but after six months illness she is very weak & I fear in rather precarious state, though thank God there is no immediate danger.— I tell you all this, because we know we have your sympathy.—
If I do not hear from you, I will send Leonard on Thursday morning;3 I say morning for the days are now so short, he would hardly have time to return by daylight, if he started after our midday dinner.— In the Spring, if then not inconvenient to you, we will change to the afternoon.— Franky seems getting on capitally, thanks to your kindness.4
Pray believe me | My dear Sir | Yours very sincerely | Charles Darwin
Footnotes
Summary
The family was detained at Eastbourne by a setback in Henrietta’s health.
Will send Leonard for tutoring on Thursday morning. Frank is doing capitally at school.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-2982
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- George Varenne Reed
- Sent from
- Down
- Source of text
- Buckinghamshire Record Office (D 22/39/5)
- Physical description
- ALS 3pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 2982,” accessed on 15 August 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-2982.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 8