Ɛpsilon

To W. E. Darwin   3 October [1877]1

Down, | Beckenham, Kent. | Railway Station | Orpington. S.E.R.

Oct. 3d

My dear William

I enclose my marriage present. I fear that Sara will think it atrociously unsentimental; but I hope useful.2 Your old father wishes you both with all his soul as much happiness as this world can give.

My dear son | Yours affectionately | Charles Darwin

1
The year is established by the reference to William’s forthcoming marriage (see n. 2, below).
2
Sara Sedgwick had accepted William Darwin’s proposal of marriage at the end of September (see letter to Sara Sedgwick, 29 September [1877]). William and Sara were married on 29 November 1877 (Emma Darwin’s diary (DAR 242)). CD’s gift was 300 guineas (£315; CD’s Classed accounts (Down House MS), 3 October 1877).

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-11165,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-11165