To W. E. Darwin   12 December [1878]¹

My dear William

I have a curious bit of news to tell you.— A few days ago a M^r Anthony Rich of Heene, Worthing, wrote to me that he with his sister were the last of his Family, & that he had always thought under such circumstances “those sh^d be remembered, whose abilities &c &c had been devoted &c &c for the benefit of mankind”; with more to the same effect & to my great honour.— Therefore he had bequeathed to me nearly all his property after his & his sister’s death.² I heard from him again today with particulars. The property is not of a very inviting kind, viz a share of Houses in Cornhill, which brings in annually rather above 1,100£.—³ This will increase each of my sons share at our deaths by nearly 200£ per annum, for I shall of course likewise increase by (I think 3000^£) the share to the daughters. This bequest, as you may believe, has astonished & pleased me greatly; though in a money sense it will make no difference whatever to me or your mother. M^r Rich is 74 years old & his sister a year younger.— I never before heard of a bequest to a man for what he has been able to do in Science

my dear old William | Your affectionate Father | Ch. Darwin

My best love to Sara⁴

P.S. I have had a copy of M^r Rich’s letter made which is gone to Erasmus & George,⁵ but shall be sent you.—