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My acquaintance with Mr. Darwin commenced when he took up his residence at Downe. I was then Curate of the adjoining Parish of Farnborough. In 1846 I became Vicar of Downe, and we became friends and so continued to his death. His kindness to me and my family was unvarying and we repaid it with warm affection. The charm of his manners, the heartiness of his friendship, the bullioning of his conversation were such that as a relation of mine who lived near him for a short time observed, no one really knew him did not love him.

In all Parish matters he was a most valuable supporter. In Schools, and Charities his liberal subscriptions and help were always ready and in the disputed questions which arose in that, as in all Parishes I was always sure of Mr Darwin's support, as he held that where there was no real objection he ought to support the Clergyman as being most responsible.

As I have always endeavour to be first of all a Churchman, these relations could not have been maintained if Mr Darwin had been the avowed unbeliever and opponent of religion that was supported by many who did not know him, did not study his works, and supposed to be his own the deductions which others drew from them, and the sentiments others supposed him to hold.

Before I knew Mr Darwin I had adopted, and publicly expressed the opinion that Natural history, geology and Science in general should be studied without reference to the Bible. That the Book of Nature and

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Religion proceeded from the same Source and that properly understood they proceeded on parallel lines and would never cross. Paley's sermon— Mr. Darwin from his own side held the same views of course any conversations we had on purely religious matters are as sacredly private now as in his life, but the quaint conclusion of one may be recorded. We had been speaking of the apparent diversity between some supposed discoveries and the Book of Genesis. He said "you are a theologian, I am a Naturalist. I pursue my investigations without considering how they affect Scripture, I do not attack Moses and I think Moses can take care of himself. Later he wrote. I do not think I ever directly attacked religion or the Clergy" and referred to an abusive pamphlet by a clergyman which I should laugh at, and which might have given him cause for bitterness. So we never attacked each other. He wrote that you are one of the rare mortals with whom one can differ and just feel no shade of bitterness, and he would be proud if any one could say the same of him.

The quietness with which he received attacks is shown by his saying I should laugh at the abusive pamphlet, and another instance is that when the Bishop of Oxford's review of Origin of Species appeared in the Quarterly he wrote a postscript in a letter to me "If you have not seen the Quarterly do get it, the Bp of Oxford has made such capital fun of me and my Grandfather. I was at Engelfield with the [Boys] when I got the letter, and shewed it to him, he said I am glad he takes

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it in this way he is such a capital fellow".

Notice his most remarkable accuracy in all observations. The labour of years to ascertain the reversion of kinds of pigeons to the original type. Of bees which I assisted him to observe and in which, and other matters he always suggested doubts when I thought facts were proved and required further observation.

His remarkable truthfulness shewn in all his conversation. On one occasion after a discussion on a Parish matter he came to me at night to say what he had said was really accurate but it had occurred to him that I might have drawn an erroneous inference and he would not sleep till he had explained it. I feel sure that if any day he had discovered some facts which would uproot his theories he would have placed them on record for publication at once—

His bad health prevented his conversing for above half an hour at a time and he was obliged to break off and lie down because he felt sick—

His rules, to carry pebbles in hand and drop one at the end of each round of the plantation walk to be sure he had accomplished the distance at

Snuff 6 months resolve to keep the box in the cellar and key in the garret.

Another 6 months, only to take a pinch when from home when he used to get one in my study. On my last visit. D said at dinner B. J & I have been fast friends for 30 years, we never roughly agreed on any subject but once and then we looked hard at each other and thought one of us must be very ill

In substance sent to F Darwin 20 June 188. with seven letters, some of which are referred to above