The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 11.2021. RN1

NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin.

"Stanley, Edward Henry, 15th Earl of Derby, 1826-93. Statesman. Of Knowsley Hall. 1848-69 MP. 1859 FRS. 1882 S was a Pallbearer at CD's funeral. Recollection of CD in The Times, 1 Oct., 1883. Transcribed in Darwin Online." (Paul van Helvert & John van Wyhe, Darwin: A Companion, 2021) A1100

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April 23/82

Dear Sir,

Your and your brothers' letter reached me only last night, owing to absence from home. I accept readily and with gratitude the honorable though melancholy office which you assign to me, and shall be at the Abbey on Wednesday, at the appointed time.

I do not venture to intrude before you with words of condolence. The loss which you

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have sustained is shared by the whole civilised world: the name which you bear is as nearly imperishable as anything human can be.

I count it as one of the highest distinctions of my life to have been honored with the friendship of your father.

And I remain

Sincerely yours

Derby

W. E. Darwin Esq.

Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)