My dear M^r. Darwin

On my return to town last night I found your very kind letter and present awaiting me and for them both I return you my best thanks.¹ I regretted so much that I was unable to obtain a complete set of my papers, especially as I thought that some of those which I had not would have been of more interest but they have been published in various journals & magazines and I cannot collect them— I have been trying in vain for a long time to get a complete set to bind for reference.²

Your work on the formation of mould will be read with great pleasure by my wife³ and me during our holiday at Sandown and by it you will repeat the benefit which you conferred on her as well as on many others, by your works. For besides the modification of the whole current of human thought which it produced throughout the world your Origin of Species⁴ sent little wavelets of pleasure to many a one & saved my wife from ennui during a dreary fortnight at Malaga.

With renewed thanks | Believe me gratefully yours | T Lauder Brunton