Sir

I have been prevented by ill-health, from which I am still suffering, from sooner acknowledging your letter of the 1^st of April.—² I hope to be able in a short time to write to M^r Kemp on the subject of his important discovery of ancient water-lines on your Eildon Hills; and I am very much obliged to your kindness in affording me the means to do so by giving me his address.—³ I am much gratified at the impression, you have been pleased to form of my geological work in the southern hemisphere.—⁴ I fully concur with you in estimating most highly the pleasure derived from investigating the ancient history of the world, and every geologist must hail with joy, so auspicious a fact, as the concurrence of several warm followers of the science in the formation of a country Society.—⁵

With every wish for the prosperity of your Society, Believe me | Dear Sir | Yours respectfully | Chas. Darwin

12 Upper Gower St | Tuesday May 5^th