Dear Mr Darwin

I have just come back, but have not yet been down to the Inn field. When I go, the trees shall have the benefit of your recommendation.¹ I am very glad that you had a good time here. I was rather doubtful about your prospects at first, for I was afraid the Inn would not be quiet enough. Next time you come I hope we may be able to get hold of a house for you.

I had meant to ask you to plant a tree somewhere in the garden, but could not get back here in time to catch you.

Will you send me a young plant of some kind, or a seed that will grow, in order that in future we may have a memorial of your visit.

The Burnet seems a very wide awake plant, that is we cant catch it napping.² Did you encounter Ruskin? He told somebody the day after he had heard that you had arrived, that if Mr Darwin would get different kinds of air & bottle them, & examine them when bottled, he would do much more useful work than he does in the contemplation of the hinder parts of monkeys.³ I communicate this valuable suggestion to you free of all charge

Yours very truly | Victor Marshall