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Darwin Correspondence Project

To John Higgins   21 December [1850]

Down Farnborough Kent

Dec. 21st

My dear Sir

In all probability I shall have very nearly 5000£ to invest soon1 & as I do not see any particularly good investment, it has occurred to me to consult you how Land is now selling.— Is there any likelihood of you meeting in the course of the next few months a small piece of land of above value which would pay a moderate rate of interest. I certainly would not invest any more money at the same rate of purchase at which Beesby was purchased owing to the depreciation of Agricultural produce. I shd. be much obliged if you would let me have your opinion. I feel sure for my Father’s sake you will advise me to the best in your power. With my large & growing family it behoves me to do my best in making safe & wise investments.

Pray believe me. My dear Sir | Yours sincerely | C. Darwin

You will understand that I have not positively made up my mind to invest the £5000 in Land, but shd. like to do so could I meet with anything paying a moderately fair return.

PSnd. It is very dull of me, but I cannot remember what was the end of Mr Mason,2 the Clergyman’s, wish to buy a little bit of land off me.—

Footnotes

Presumably this was the sum CD expected to receive from Emma’s trust by the transfer of Leeds and Bradford Railway shares. See letter to Salt & Son, 26 November [1850], n. 2.
Henry Payne Mason, rector of Beesby.

Summary

Asks his opinion concerning possible investment. Asks about possible land sale to Mr Mason.

Letter details

Letter no.
DCP-LETT-1377
From
Charles Robert Darwin
To
John Higgins
Sent from
Down
Source of text
Lincolnshire Archives (HIG/4/2/1/41)
Physical description
ALS 4pp

Please cite as

Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 1377,” accessed on 28 March 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-1377.xml

Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 4

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