My dear Cousin,

I will not delay longer to thank you very much for so kindly sending me a copy of my Grandfather’s life last November.¹ I have read it several times over, with the greatest interest, & all his descendants must feel much indebted to you for writing it, & undoing Miss Seward’s calumnies.² I am surprised though at your dwelling so much on my Grandfather being so pitted with small pox.³ It must have quite worn off in later life, for I have heard my Mother⁴ over & over again say “his complexion was beautiful, like a child’s”, & she also used to remark upon “the sweetness of expression in his mouth”— He had lost all his teeth, & I have the scoop he always used when eating apple &c. My sister Adele Bunbury & M^rs. Nixon who have been here both remember with me, that my Mother & Aunt Gisborne spoke of his complexion being so good & clear in his later life.⁵ I think the Photograph of him at the beginning of the book very good, far better than one I have, taken from Rollason’s picture. Will you kindly give me the name & address of the Photographer, as I should much like to order one or two?⁶

I must not conclude without congratulating you on your son’s recent marriage⁷ & with kind remembrances to M^rs. Darwin & your Daughter⁸ Believe me | Yours very truly, | Eliz^th. A Wheler.

I am sure you will be sorry to hear we have just received the news of Violetta Darwin’s death, which took place yesterday.⁹ She has long been suffering from dropsy.