Ɛpsilon

To W. E. Darwin   24 October [1877]1

Down, Kent.

Many thanks.— I have been glad to see enclosed.—2 Mr Bloxham seems well convinced that the stone coffins were left on surface—3 — Sara has been quite charming & very affectionate towards me,—far more than I deserve.4

I am tired to death— good night | my dear old fellow | C. Darwin

Oct. 24

1
The year is established from the dates of Sara Sedgwick’s visit to Down (see n. 4, below).
2
The enclosure has not been found; it was possibly the information about the stone coffins (see n. 3, below).
3
In his work on monumental architecture, Matthew Holbeche Bloxam discussed the use of stone coffins from the thirteenth century, and noted that the lids were generally raised level with or a few inches above the pavement; he then mentioned a number of stone coffins that were later dug up, noting their distance from the surface (Bloxam 1834, pp. 55–6 and 69–71).
4
Sara Sedgwick, William’s fiancée, stayed at Down House from 13 to 24 October 1877 (Emma Darwin’s diary (DAR 242)).

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-11205,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-11205