My Dear Father,

I have not only ordered the microscope, but I now have it down here, so that it is rather aggravating to hear that something new & improved is coming out. I asked about changing, & Smith & Beck said that they would take it back any time allowing the full value all but a pound or so, they said they often exchanged them in that way for the large microscope, and then they polished up the small ones and sold them again as new.²

And such being the case as there was a probability of my getting a large one sometime, I went in the whole hog, for the 15£ getting the extra draw with the Camera L.³ in it and the opaque lighting fixings, and the polarizing apparatus,which would be no use to me whatever, but as it was not much more, I did not think it worth while turning out; but if you think it not worth keeping even for prettiness, I could send it back now— I have tried the microscope twice; and find the want of rack work etc very little inconvenience, the barrel slides in cloth for coarse focusing, and [illeg] there is rack work for the fine;—⁴ I find it easy enough to manage the object with my fingers,— I mean to get out my Composites,⁵ as soon as I get a gap in my outings. I have only got the eye pieces and object glasses you mentioned S & B. seemed to think them enough

I have been growing seeds on sand and sketching the plumules and cotyledons for some little time, it is good practice, and they are very odd, particularly the plumules which are wonderfully different, it is a great blessing the days are getting longer, I get my walk $\frac{3}{4}$ light now; and get called earlier, I have more outings on hand   On Friday I am going to a grand fairwell private ball given by a master of hounds near Winchester leaving the Country; but you shall hear more of these frivolities when the time comes; I am afraid Horace is worse, or you would not take him up to London.⁶

My love to Etty & thanks for her letter, I have sent on Mama’s letter,⁷ and written through the boys

I find this a very different life now those d—d mathematics are off my mind, I think M^r & M^rs. A.— think a taste stronger beer of me for not being plucked.⁸

I am your affect son | W E Darwin

I find the difficulty of addition getting beautifully less, I find the numbers adding themselves together, without holding ones breath and feeling a strain across the stomack.