To Robert Patterson   17 April [1847]

DEAR SIR

I received only yesterday your note of the 9th. of March & very kind present. I fear you must have thought me ungrateful not sooner to have acknowledged your kindness; but owing to not having sent to the Geological Society for some time, the parcel lay there.

I admire your volume² much; you seem to have condensed a wonderfully great deal of accurate information & the woodcuts are capital. I am very much pleased to hear that the Commissioners of Education have adopted your book, and I hope you may live to see some good naturalists spring up, who will acknowledge your work as their first guide and incitement. I beg to thank you for your kind expressions towards me in your note, I remain, dear Sir, with much respect.

Your obliged and faithful serv | C.DARWIN To | R.PATTERSON ESQ.