My dear Sir,

As my poor friend W. Winwood Reade often spoke of you during his illness & wished you to be informed of his death, I lose no time in fulfilling this sad duty.¹ He died yesterday afternoon about three. We had hoped to have pulled him through the summer at least, but the disease was too strong for us. For the first week of his arrival here he indulged hopes of recovery but during the last five or six days, he gave up all idea of living— I regret to say that his last few hours were physically very painful.² In one so young Death & Life seem to struggle for mastery in such chronic disorders as his. He preserved his intellect almost to the last & said “I die a philosopher, I have no fear of the future, mark that”

I beg to remain, dear Sir, | Very truly your’s | H. Sandwith

Chas Darwin Esq F.R.S. | &c &c &c