From Reginald Darwin   29 March 1879

My dear Cousin

The receipt of your letter has given me very sincere pleasure— It has been delayed a day in consequence of the address “Matlock” instead of “Buxton”— I am much interested in what you say as to the sketch of our grandfather’s life & shall look anxiously for the appearance of the translation— I do not know that I can help you in your praiseworthy desire to vindicate his character.¹ I will however send you his “Common Place Book” in which I have placed such letters &c as I had in my possession— The lines on “Atheism” you probably possess, probably also the lines on “Prosperity” &c respecting which you will find a letter from Emma Galton—²

There are various lines by other Authors, lines which were favourites with my Father, & which are mostly in my mother’s & sister’s hands—³

You will see that I have desecrated the old Book with newspaper cuttings, & regret that I ever did so. You must however kindly disregard this— I cannot tell you whether our Grandfather reached Edinburgh before the death of his son Charles, but in those days of tardy mails I should think the probability is that he did not—⁴ I saw his Tomb in 1840, the old Book contains a copy of the inscription. Breadsall Church is, like many others at this day, undergoing the process of restoration, & the graves of some of those who have gone before us have been disturbed; I name this as you will see a letter (recent) to me from one of my sisters on the subject—⁵ It is indeed long since we met— never but once since your return from your five years voyage,⁶ about 1839, your name however is so completely before the world that I seem to hear of you constantly, & always with pride— My son is more fortunate than myself, for he already has made the acquaintance of your son George, & has had a kind invitation from your son at Southampton—⁷ I trust they may meet some day, when my son may be at Portsmouth— He is now Commander of the “Lord Warden” in the Firth of Forth—⁸ tho’ several years your junior, I also am getting old, but am thankful for good health & vigour—

Pray offer my best regards & those of M^rs Darwin⁹ & my son (who is home on a few days leave) to your family & believe me| always affec^tly yours | Reginald Darwin