My dear Darwin

I saw yesterday with the deepest regret the death of your brother in the Times—² Little did I think when I was with him some 5 or 6 weeks ago that I then saw him for the last time! he was in excellent spirits; & really seemed to be stronger & better in health than usual— true he had been long suffering— but so sudden a termination of his career greatly grieves & shocks me. A more thoroughly honorable & excellent a man never lived— possessing great abilities & great & varied information. I say no more— but I felt impelled to write you a brief but most sincere letter of condolence— it is many, many years since we met, but I retain a most vivid recollection of my old Schoolfellow, “Charles Darwin”—a name now known and respected throughout the Civilized world!³ No answer!— I was very glad to become acquainted with your youngest son some time ago at Cambridge thro’ our good mutual friend W. Thomson—⁴ I hope I may meet him there again—

Believe me | very truly yrs | L. B. B. Dykes

not knowing your address I direct this to Queen Anne S^t.⁵