My dear Sir

I thank you cordially for your letter. I would not have troubled you, but I became haunted with the fear that I had somehow offended you, or that you were seriously ill.² I am delighted that you will review my book, for I thus shall get some valuable criticisms; and as yet no one review or notice has been of the least use or instruction to me.³ I shall value a review from you more than from any other person of whom I can think. Two men, whose opinion I value highly, have in letters spoken well of the book, viz., Paget and Bowman.⁴ The former says the book will aid him in the study of the expression of patients suffering from organic disease; but what this means I hardly know. Your present of photographs is magnificent, but in truth I am ashamed to rob you of so many.⁵ They are wonderfully curious. How much I may endeavour to improve my book I hardly know; for Murray has printed off so immense a supply of copies that it will be long, if ever, before a new edit. is required.⁶ I have also but very little strength to spare, and much matter of other kinds which I should like to publish before I quite break down. Inheritance I look at as a most important subject, so that I should be glad of your notes; but do not trust to me, and pray publish anything valuable independently of me, but let me hear of it.⁷

With very sincere thanks for all your kindness believe me in Haste | Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin.