My dear Sir

In reply to yours, received this morning, I beg to say that on referring to my vast collection of notes I find the following entry.

“Ascensio an Island of the Caroline group in 11 North Lat in the S. Seas, lately discovered by H.M. Sloop Raven. A gentleman who went to reside on this spot, found a place called Tainen covered with extensive ruins of an Antique town; but settled so low that it is only accessible in boats; the water coming to the steps of the houses. the stones are laid artificially, but without cement; some being 20 feet long.”— “the walls have doors & windows. the present inhabitants are different in habits & manners from the other natives ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ South Sea Islands: the social system is ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ [more] advanced; ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ on a par with the men & their customs approximate ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ Europeans ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠. Lotzky who communicated ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ to society March 2^d 1839 had ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ letter from ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ stating that the ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ had since visited ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ & a survey.¹ he stat⁠⟨⁠ed⁠⟩⁠ ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ since ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ monuments ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ I have not noted whence I extracted the above but ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ may have been from the ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ intelligence very similar to the above has likewise reached me from New Holland, where I ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ & other correspondents. As a mere fabrication I could not accept it, although ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ what I have expressed on the nature of ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ of the materials brought forward in the consideration of the population of America, you will perceive that I had left the absolute authenticity open as regards perhaps several of ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠

I shall now be exceedingly glad to receive from you a few lines in order to have your opinion whether the above Tainen & your Pouynipète or Seneavine are the same. If I understand it rightly, they must be distinct for Ascension cannot well be the same; it has been long [known]. I may remark that the [Capped] parallelitha² of Tinian seem to belong to the same people; and it is a question whether the pillar Idols of Easter Island & the stone sculptures of Pitcairns may not likewise be referred to them.

Now let me add a few words respecting yourself: It gave me very sincere pleasure to hear from you, as in some measure it was an evidence of your health ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ in that condition at least which I call “working order” for that is my [opinion] of my own, when I can get to my table to write or draw as if I were strong. Sometimes I have wished you were resident in this place. the usual mildness of the climate being favourable ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ upper part of the town is in a sufficient ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ I own it would be a sacrifice for you ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ kindred [minds]. ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ three persons of extensive information to be ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ there is no public library richly stored. I find that the classes of books that I want in my several pursuits are all, or with rare exceptions missing ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ I have to purchase them myself unless the private library of a very kind hearted friend help me on.

My eldest daughter³ who had the pleasure of seeing you in town about a twelve month ago, desires to be kindly remembered.

I am | My dear Sir | Most sincerely yours | Charles Hamⁿ Smith Charles Darwin Esq | &c &c &c

P.S. would you have the goodness to favour me with the title of the little work wherein you have spoken of the coral formations of the Caroline Islands?