My dear M^r. Darwin

I long to say My dear Charles—but cannot venture upon that liberty with so renowned a man—²

Rosamond is at present staying with the Corbets—at the nice place they have taken near Oxford³—& she has just written to ask me by M^r. Corbets desire to write to you— He is the blind M^r. Corbet—who is I believe an acquaintance of yours⁴—but any how he has sent to ask me to write—&, as one never denies that dear M^r. Corbet anything—I trouble you with this— He has been troubled now, for more than a year—with poor health—nothing very important the matter—I believe—only just the destruction of all his comfort from constant malaise—fits of sleeplessness—depression of spirit—dislike to mental exertion—even a dread of those scientific & intellectual conversations in which he used to take all his delight— in short every one who has been thoroughly out of order knows the whole horrid dragons of such a state— Hearing from Rosamond what diet has done for you⁵—in which all to your most distant friends so heartily rejoice—he has desired her—“to ask if you would mind to M^r. Charles Darwin to ask what was the diet he pursued— he is an old friend of M^r. Corbets but they have not corresponded for some years— he would be glad if you would tell him— he has often thought of his old friend & felt for his sufferings— I have told M^rs Corbet⁶ how much better M^r Darwin has been for diet—& he is anxious to know the particulars— I am convinced a great part of his miserable feelings arise from his inattention to these matters—.... Poor man he suffers very much— if M^r Darwin or M^rs. Darwin⁷ would write to him straight—he would be very glad—& would like so much to hear from his old friend” So far Rosamond—& if you or M^rs. Darwin would be so kind as to write direct to him—I am sure that the letter would be a great gratification—as well as far more likely to have its due effect— I must beg of you not to give one moment of your precious strength to acknowledging this letter— I have just heard from Elizabeth W⁸ how well you are & heartily heartily rejoice

Kindest love to Emma (M^rs. Darwin) I mean— I did so grieve to lose my own share—in sweetest Susan⁹—but they go away so sadly fast—those I loved in early happy days

Always believe me to be | very truly yours | Anne Marsh Caldwell