My dear William

I am not going to write you a decent note, for I am half-dead with working with M^r Sowerby at the Orchid drawings.² It has been the devil’s own job. But I am anxious to hear whether you have signed the Articles of Partnership.³ I rather fear that we were not very civil to M^r Hacon in not writing to him & asking him whether it was all right your joining before he announced that all was ready.⁴ In fact, I suppose, it could make no difference; in the case of having to do with a gentleman like M^r Atherley. No doubt a rogue could have got articles altered. Do not leave this note about.— You must at once buy some good lock-up thing.— Shall you not want the certificate that you have ^£5000 consols?⁵ will this have to be produced on both sides.— Let me hear about the signing pretty soon.—

You cannot tell how much we are interested & amused by your letters. Everything sounds prosperous as yet: of course there will be drawbacks, as in every thing else in this world. I wish the winter was not coming on, as that will make it duller for you; but I am so glad to hear about your walk. What a nice considerate man M^r Atherley must be; pray give him my kind remembrances.— Enquire whether Sir H. James is in Southampton & whether you would like me to write to him. He is a pleasant & distinguished man.⁶ I think, if I write, the best & civillest will be, for me to ask permission for you to call on him.

M^r Sowerby left this afternoon & comes back on Tuesday night, when I shall have 5 or 6 more very hard days’ work.⁷ The drawings will be pretty successful; but I feel sure that my little book will be too difficult & too uniform for the Public & I almost wish I had never thought of separate publication. So I must chance it now.—

Miss Pugh arrived this evening for a few days.⁸ Crocket flourishes;⁹ how I wish you were here my dear old fellow to give a few more crockets in a mournful spirit. We delight in your letters—

Farewell | your affect. Father | C. Darwin