From W. E. Darwin to Emma Darwin [6? July 1877]

My Dear Mother

D^r Langstaff urged me so strongly that I killed poor Jet with perussic acid; I hated doing it and it seemed like murder, but it was perfectly peaceful. D^r Langstaff from the description thinks it was certainly hydrophobia   I shall get one puppy who shall be in the house & sleep in kennel in back yard, he will then get stay-at-home habits.

I sent your letter on to [J] please tell him that the water rose on July 1^st as follows [part of second page excised]

I will measure again tomorrow & send him the result.

Please thank Frank for his letter, I am glad the babby is to be photographed.

Who the dickens was y^r Yankee?

My plans ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ braving.

I have not heard whether anything has been done to the new room

Your affect son | WED