To William Lonsdale 6 May [1864]1
Down, Bromley, | Kent;
May 6th.
My Dear Lonsdale,
I received your letter with as much surprise as from one dead;2 for it so happened that 3 or 4 nights ago I was thinking about you and I saw you as plainly as in the old days in your little room at the Geolog. Soc.3 I was thinking how I could learn any news of you. I am sorry at the poor accoun/⟩ I was thinking how I could learn any news of you. I am sorry at the poor account that you give, and I know how long and how much you havet that you give, and I know how long and how much you have suffered.4 I had quite forgotten about the coral, but I now remember its appearance. Your MS. is arrived and I am fairly astounded at the labour you have bestowed on the subject. It seems a very great pity that such labour should be wasted. Had I not better send the specimen and MS. to the Geolog. Soc. to be printed or kept in the archives?5 It might be of extreme use to any one working on the subject.
I have myself been ill for the last 9 months, but am slowly recovering and hope still to do a little work in Nat. History.6
Believe me, my dear Lonsdale, I shall ever remember your uniform kindness to me in old long past days, and our many pleasant conversations.7
I remain yours | Very sincerely, | Charles Darwin.
Footnotes
Summary
Thanks WL for his MS on coral and suggests that it be sent to the Geological Society for printing or preserving in the archives.
Comments on his and WL’s bad health and recalls WL’s past kindness to him.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-5080A
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- William Lonsdale
- Sent from
- Down
- Source of text
- Murch 1893, pp. 436–7
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 5080A,” accessed on 20 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-5080A.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 18 (Supplement)