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Dec-1-32.

Cripps's Corner, Forest Row, Sussex.

Dear Buckston Browne,

A german wrote to me lately to say that Mendel was sure to have met my father in 1862. I wrote to show that he almost certainly did not do so. A long time ago it was stated that two brilliant mathematicians, named Hadley, were descended from Erasmus Darwin. I hunted it up, and came to the conclusion that it was a mare's nest. I send you herewith the documents in question, in case you think it worth preserving them at Down to save some one else

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the trouble of such a hunt. The two Hadleys may have been related to the doctor who married the illegitimate daughter of old Erasmus. I don't care what you do with the ─ papers. But I advise you anyhow not to read them!

I am sorry to learn of Keith's 6 months leave. He must have been very bad. You saw that Mallet died. He was a good sort.

All well here

Yours sincerely

Leonard Darwin