My dear Sir Joseph—

Our hopes proved fallacious & on Tuesday night an attack of pain came on accompanied with fainting— It was a terrible time till all was over (about 15 hrs) but the faintness & sickness & exhaustion were worse than the pain, which I hope were never very violent.

He loved you more than any one out of his own family & I am sure you returned his affection—

I cannot realize what life will be without him but I do feel through it all that with my children it is worth having.

I have been prepared in some degree these 2 months, & his remaining so weak was very discouraging—

Pray give my love to your dear wife² & believe me affectionately yours | E. Darwin