Dear M^r Darwin

I am much obliged & greatly flattered by your kind thought of me. I have read your book with the greatest interest.¹ You said once, laughing,—that you were finding that “Worms” could revolutionise the world;— you have succeeded in proving the greatness of their power.

I wonder how you fared at Down in the gale of Friday! We felt here as if we might be swept away.² Seventy trees came down in an hour, people could not keep their feet. The storm was preceded by some minutes perhaps $\frac{1}{4}$ hour of perfect stillness—unusual stillness at 5. a.m. on Friday; the watchmen & others described “the roar as coming from the S.W for 3 or 4 minutes & then the wind burst in a hurricane”.

I hear of great havoc at Holwood.³

Will you give my kindest regards to M^rs Darwin & believe me | Yrs very sincerely | M C Derby.