My dear Sarah.

You see how audaciously I begin; but I have always loved & shall ever love this name.—¹ Your letter has done more than please me, for its kindness has touched my heart. I often think of old days & of the delight of my visits to Woodhouse & of the deep debt of gratitude which I owe to your Father.² It was very good of you to write. I had quite forgotten my old ambition about the Shrewsbury newspaper; but I remember the pride which I felt when I saw in a book about beetles the impressive words “captured by C. Darwin”.³ Captured sounded so grand compared with caught. This seemed to me glory enough for any man! I do not know in the least what made the Times glorify me, for it has sometimes pitched into me ferociously.⁴

I should very much like to see you again; but you would find a visit here very dull, for we feel very old & have no amusements & lead a solitary life. But we intend in a few weeks to spend a few days in London;⁵ & then if you have anything else to do in London you would perhaps come & lunch with us.

Believe me my dear Sarah | Yours gratefully & affectionately | Charles Darwin

My health is better than it was & I am able to do daily a good deal of work, but 24 hr^s never pass without some discomfort, & I am easily tired. Nevertheless there is much to make me happy & life is still an enjoyment.—