My dear Old Willy

I have been idle in not having written to you, but I am somehow busier than ever with all sorts of experiments. I send a P.O. order for 1£. you must sign William Erasmus Darwin.² I am not surprised at your running short for all the payments you enumerate amount to a good deal. Your half-year is beginning to pass, I am glad to say, for when May once has begun it is not so dreadfully long to look forward. I remember when at school, I used to begin & count at 6 or 7 weeks from the holidays & used to keep a notched stick, & cut off a notch every week.—

The Pigeon House³ is nearly complete & really does not look very ugly; it is a hexagon & the wire net part an oblong 1610 ft, & 9 ft high.— I have to go to London next week for the whole week & shall bring home the pigeons with me; I hope Fan Tails & Pouters: they will cost 20^s per pair.

I had to go to London last Saturday & Monday & very tired I was, but we have more hopes of a Railway to Farnborough than ever we had.—⁴

I am trying all sorts of experiments on salting seeds & have the chimney-piece in the study covered with glasses which serve as flower pots. I suppose Mamma told you about our going to the Crystal Palace to see the Emperor &c,⁵ but I did not much care for it: it was so hot that Aunt Elizabeth⁶ fainted dead away & it was very frightening & disagreeable; & we had to lay her flat on the ground.—

I am glad to hear you think of breeding Lepidoptera; I have always heard that it is much the best way; but it is troublesome as the caterpillars require constant cleaning out & feeding.— There is some other way by putting Treacle or sugar– & water out at night.—

M^r Stainton is a very distinguished Entomologist & most liberal, I have heard, in showing his collections.⁷

I do not know what the ladder gymnastic is to which you allude.—⁸

Goodbye my dear old fellow.— Your characters have been very good this half-year; & I keep all that ever have been sent, & shall always preserve them. with pleasure.—

Adios.— I hope the next seven weeks will fly quickly

Your affectionate Father | C. D.