My dear Sir

From what you say I must accord my consent to your proposition of a reduction of Rent of 15 per cent for the past half-year & can only hope the present depressed times will not last.¹

Prices I understand, have been as low before under Protection,² & in France at present they are very low, so that I see no cause whatever to despair. I suppose M^r Hardy³ is an active man & does not content himself with merely complaining about the altered laws.—

I hope that he has nothing of any kind to complain of.

We must hope for better times⁴

I remain | dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | C. Darwin