My dear William

We were very glad to get your note with so good an account of all things. I think you will have a very pleasant time there & see the Lakes well & from all that I have heard I believe there is nothing more beautiful in all England. Do look for glacial action & if you see anything let me hear. If by any chance you sh^d. take a fancy to geology, I believe Prof. Sedgwick & some one published a little joint book on the geology of the Lake district;² but perhaps the subject would be too difficult without some little preliminary study & you have subjects enough in hand. We miss you much here, as you always make us jolly. Especially you are much missed, as we have the House full of young ladies, viz Effie, Dot, Eva & Angus & Tim.³ (The latter looks more like a Christian; poor lad, but I fear is very weak in mind, though so good-tempered & obliging. N.B do not leave this letter about, I forgot Erny⁴ being with you.) The Langtons & Uncle Eras. & Susan are coming, so we shall soon have House-full.⁵ Georgy seems to have had a jolly visit at Hartfield & returns tomorrow.⁶ I have got for him a marvellous yellow, but battered Clear-wing, just like a Hornet or big wasp.—

Mamma went up yesterday & brought down two such patterns, of the exact colour of mud, streaked with rancid oil, that we have all exclaimed against them; & I have agreed to take anything in preference & we have settled on a crimson flock-paper with golden stars, though unseen by me.—⁷

It was a bad job our sending you the last evening to Bromley with the new Horse; for as we broke our bargain of sending it, that day to M^r Edwards, he has recanted from his offer & we have got the beast still on sale.—⁸ Some of the young Lubbocks are thinking of buying it as a Hunter.—

I get on very slowly with my confounded proof-sheets & have done only 4 or 5 pages for the two last days, yet I hope to have finished by end of August & to go then to Ilkley. Do not forget to make some enquiries about the Windermere Water-cure place; & whether any House to let close by.—

I have not ceased to rejoice yet, whenever I think over your Scholarship.⁹ My dear old fellow it is a good little beginning of your life.—

Your affect. father | C. Darwin

I wish to Heaven you were here for a game of Billiards.—