My dear M^rs. Darwin

I had intended writing to you the day before your kind note to my wife arrived.¹ I sh^d be sorry to make any mistakes in the few words which I shall say about the Darwins of the past. Will you kindly read the enclosed written by my son George, & endeavour to explain our difficulty?²

My son Leonard of the R. Engineers now has charge at Chatham of the Photographic department; & he often takes a party of Sappers & miners to different parts of England to practise them in Photography, & he feels almost sure that before long he will be able to go to Elston & take a Photograph of your House; so that I sh^d. want no other copy.—³ Would you therefore be so very kind as to send for him (Lieut. Darwin R.E) the briefest line of introduction to your tenant at Elston.— He thinks he will also go to Cleatham. Is the estate there still in your possession? & do you know anything of the clergyman, so as to aid him in [hunting] the Registers or any old tombs &c.—⁴

Since writing to you before I have made an odd discovery. I had a very large box, marked “old settlements & deeds” from my Father, & never thought it worth opening; but now I have done so, & found instead of deeds hundreds of letters from D^r. Erasmus Darwin & other odd old letters, one very curious one from Susannah Darwin sister of Erasmus.⁵ Also a rough drawing of Elston before it was altered about year 1750; & this I think that I will have engraved & give it as well as your House in its present state.⁶

I hope that I have not wearied you with this long note & remain | yours truly obliged | Charles Darwin