Dear Charles Darwin

It is no use! I cannot resist writing to tell you, what a real & great pleasure it was to me, to see you, & such a goodly Assemblage of Darwins besides, a gratification I had hardly hoped for—² You are one of my oldest remaining friends, & you are so happily associated with the palmy days of yore, that it is indeed a heartfelt satisfaction to me to see you, & to feel assured, that old times are still fresh in your memory, & your friendly regard unabated—³

I can only hope this satisfaction may be renewed at no very distant period for Life is short, & uncertain; But while it lasts, believe that I am always most affectionately your’s, | S. H. Haliburton.

PS.| Our meeting had but one drawback, you called me “M^ss. Haliburton” twice— This offence must not be repeated—⁴