My dear son Leonard.

I have dreadful news to tell you. You will have heard of Amy’s safe confinement.² Everything went on well for about 48 hours & then she was seized with convulsion. These lasted for about 18 hours, accompanied by other very bad symptoms. Yesterday afternoon the Doctors thought her sinking, but to everyone’s surprise she lasted till this morning & I saw her expire at about $\frac{1}{4}$ to seven o clock this morning. She was quite unconscious all the time & never suffered pain or knew, thank God, that she was leaving for ever her husband. But this is miserably poor consolation.

I know how much you were attached to her & how strong a friendship she had for you.—³ I think she was the most gentle & sweet creature I ever knew. God knows what will become of Frank— his life will be a mere wreck. He seemed quite bewildered & dazed yesterday. Your mother keeps up her strength pretty well & has just gone over to see about the Baby.

Poor Bessy⁴ is quite overwhelmed by the dreadful blow.

My dear Son | Your affectionate Father | Charles Darwin

It is just decided that she shall be buried in Wales, for which I am sorry.—⁵