To Ernst Krause   9 May [1879]¹

My dear Sir

I am happy to answer your questions as well as I can.² D^r. Darwin knew well during many years Boulton & Watt, for they were all members of the Lunar Soc^y; but I cannot say when he first became acquainted with them.³

Edgworth lived for a time at Lichfield, partly, I believe on account of the health of his wife & partly for the sake of my grandfather’s society: He then lived on his Estates in Ireland.—⁴

Old M^r. Galton was a rich Banker in Birmingham & a friend of my grandfather; one of his sons, Tertius Galton, married Violetta Darwin, daughter of Erasmus.—⁵ M^rs Schimmelpenninck was sister of Tertius Galton; but she was, as I hear from her own nieces & nephews, quite untrustworthy: she, also, expressly says she give in extreme old age her recollections as a child.—⁶

The Priory was left to my grandfather by his son Erasmus, who committed suicide, when insane.⁷ I shall show how false Miss Seward’s account is of my grandfather’s conduct—absolutely false.⁸

I shall enter into this subject in some detail.

My grandmother Mary Howard was no relation to the Philanthropist.—⁹

The father of Erasmus (Robert) was a Barrister or Lawyer, but he lived in the house of his elder brother; & the eldest son of Robert (ie the elder brother of Erasmus) ultimately inherited the estate of Elston.¹⁰ Sir Francis was merely knighted on presenting an address to the King, & I wonder that he condescended to accept so paltry an honour.¹¹ He was in no sense a member of our nobility.— There is no known connection between Darwin & Derwent or Darwen.—¹² But I strongly advise you to let me tell what is known about the family of the Darwins from the materials in my possession.

I intend to give an engraving of the Priory, (which was a curious old House) & had intended to quote D^r. D’ description, but will refer to the latter, as you intend to give it.—¹³

It is very kind of you to offer to allow me to alter your M.S, but this I cannot accept, for I sh^d never have thought of writing about my grandfather, had it not been for your essay.¹⁴

I much fear that there will be too much repetition in our two little essays; but as we shall view the subject from different points perhaps this will not much signify.— I cannot work in my materials without going through his whole life, & at present cannot see what will be the best plan.— We shall both be able to judge best when we have seen each other’s M.S.— Possibly you might like to take my M.S & cut it up & work it into your essay or give them as a Preface or as a supplement.; & I take parts of yours & work them into the English edition, or give them as a supplement.

This plan w^d. waste a good deal of both our times; but it is useless to speculate what w^d. be best till we have seen each other’s essays.

My dear Sir | Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin

P.S. I am inclined to think I must have 2 copies made in M.S of my essay & send one to you. This, however, will waste time..—

P.S. | If you approve or disapprove of my notice appearing after yours as a Supplement, please tell me: if I do not hear, I will understand that you are indifferent.— But please observe I have not yet thought enough. about it. Perhaps M^r Murray would object vehemently, & say that my name w^d help sale!!¹⁵

But I would overrule this if we think this of “supplement” w^d. be the best plan.— I shall be able to judge better when I can read rapidly in Translation whole of your article.—