From V. H. Darwin   4 April 1879

My dear Cousin,

I am much interested to hear that you are bringing out another Life of D^r. Darwin, I write to say that as there is no Photogr^ph. of Breadsall Priory, and as I am an artist in a small way, I shall be delighted to make as good a drawing in pen & ink as I can, and with the judicious emendations which are generally made by such woodengravers as your publisher w^d. employ, I am sure it would be a pretty view.¹

You must not trouble yourself to answer this unless you have some suggestion or wish to express—(much as I sh^d. value a line from you), and I will forward the drawing before the end of this month, if that will do.²

I wish much that the plate of that beautiful little engraving of Wright’s portrait c^d. be found— I only lately discovered that it was by one of the M^r. Wedgwoods, in purchasing it at a chance sale here. I believe it was originally made for “Seward’s Anecdotes”.—³ It would photograph perfectly though, as all prints do. The photos from the original picture are very poor & blotched, & are therefore out of the question.

It is remarkable how the word “benevolent” has always been associated with D^r. Darwin by his friends (almost like the “judicious Hooker!’)⁴ There is a fine & unusual instance of it in M^r. Edgeworth’s Memoirs. V. 1. p 163–4 and V. 2. p 198—⁵ Also in the Mem^s. of Miss Edgworth, published privately— She says, describing a visit to the Priory after D^r. D’s death—“There was a charming picture of him in the room, in which his generous soul appeared, and his penetrating benevolent genius”.—⁶ vol. 1 p 112   His great Temperance is well known—from the anecdote of his addressing the Nottingham people on the subject⁷

I must not trespass further, & with kind regards | believe me | yours very sincerely | Violetta H. Darwin—