Dear Sir,

Your kindness has been extreme in having taken so much trouble in searching through the letters and copying the extracts.¹ I value them much, and they interest me strangely by bringing before my eyes old passed scenes. I never knew how my father (D^r R. Darwin of Shrewsbury)² became so intimate with all the Clives. I dimly remember staying when a child at Stych & seeing a very old M^rs Clive, no doubt the widow of the Archdeacon.³ The extract about the eagerness of the two learned divines to see a pig’s body opened is very amusing; & that about my grandfather’s character is of much value to me.⁴ I now hope that there may be a second edition of the Life, that I may use a few extracts from the materials which you have so kindly given me.⁵ The information about M^r Gifford & the Archdeacon is now quite sufficient. I was glad to read the P.S. about my father & about the outline made by my mother.⁶

With the most cordial thanks, I remain, | dear Sir, | Yours faithfully | Charles Darwin