[envelope]

William E. Darwin Esq

Down Beckenham Kent

[back of envelope]

[1]

Chappell Croft,

Heene, Worthing

May 17, 1882.

Dear William Darwin,

Yours of yesterday just received. I answer it at once without leaving the table at which I was sitting while reading it.

First of all: many thanks for the photograph of your father, which is exceedingly good, both for the likeness and the execution. On the last count, it may be somewhat more picturesque than the one which your brother Leonard gave me of his own taking; and which I have had framed and hung up in my room, where it reminds me daily of the actual presence of one for whom I seemed to feel a positive affection, as well as veneration and respect. Both are admirable likenesses, and both

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will be treasures to me.

Next for the Hill of Corn—I made my will before writing to your father to tell him the dispositions I had made; and nothing could induce me to alter it in that respect. It is a source of pleasure and pride to me to think that it could have been in my power to do anything which would give him ever so small an amount of gratification, and I am equally pleased to think that when my course is also run property which belonged to me will descend to the worthy children of so noble a man. I do not usually keep letters after answering them, but I may perhaps leave this one of yours in my desk, not for the purpose you suggest, but as an evidence, if

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wanted, of the dignified disinterestedness of yourself and brothers and sisters. Possibly I may see you here some day or other, in the fulness of time? Then I could tell you vivâ voce any details respecting the property which it would be advisable for you to know; otherwise I would write, and will hereafter, upon any points on which you may desire to be informed. For the present, however, this may suffice─

During the next week which I passed in London at the beginning of this month I had an opportunity of seeing at the Club all the daily & weekly Papers─ and the delight, as you will readily conceive of reading the unanimous chorus of iconoclastic observations poured forth without a single snarl from the great scientific achievements, as well as

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the noble and lovable nature of the great man who had just passed away─ never, in England at least, has there been such an euthanasia!

If anything could reconcile you all to your loss, than ought to do it─ must mitigate it at least─

I hope that you and your brother George will post send me a line now and then, just to keep me en rapport with you all, and to let me know how the smiles & sunshine, or the slights and arrows of the world and the world's ways, are falling upon you. In the monotony of my daily life, I never can screw up courage enough to take an initiative in anything: but I am scrupulously exact in answering; that I promise you—and that

I am,

Very sincerely yours,

ANTHONY RICH.