My dear Sir,

A body of English mortgagees have requested me to examine and report on a line of railway in New Brunswick¹ and I avail myself of the chance of profitably occupying my vacation— It is possible that in pushing my enquiries I may have to go to Boston & if so I should feel very much obliged if you would give me a note to Asa Gray whom I should like to know—²

I am afraid you are not likely to have any scientific correspondents at Halifax, Windsor, St John’s or St Andrews—which is my line of route— If I can spare the time & money I shall return via Niagara & New York, but that depends on the result of my enquiries in New Brunswick—& how far I have to travel right & left of my line— I am told the Boston men have projected a line to join ours which would make it a valuable property— at present it is a damnosa hereditas³ to my clients—

I went to the Linnæan to hear your paper & was sorry to learn you were still confined to your room—⁴ If I had felt sure of having the pleasure of seeing you I should have called in lieu of writing— I hope you are now able to give a better account of yourself.

Pray make our kindest remembrances to M^rs Darwin & yr daughter who is I hope quite florishing—⁵ I should tell you I leave town on Friday night & sail from Liverpool on Saturday morning—

Yours very truly | E Cresy

C Darwin Esq.