Ɛpsilon

To Thomas de Grey   26 September 1879

Down, | Beckenham, Kent. | (Railway Station | Orpington. S.E.R.)

Sept. 26th 1879

My Lord

I should be much obliged if you would be so good as to inform me with respect to the character of G. Sleigh, who has been in your Lordship’s service. I wish to learn whether he is sober, honest & industrious; & whether he is likely to prove a useful gardener, as far as you may be able to form an opinion.1

My name, as a fellow-worker in natural science will perhaps be known to your Lordship; & I have the honour to remain | Your obedient servant | Charles Darwin

1
George Sleigh had been suggested as a replacement for CD’s head gardener, Henry Lettington, who had become ill (see letter to George Sleigh, [before 26 September 1879], and letter to J. D. Hooker, 1 October [1879] and n. 2).

Manuscript Alterations and Comments

0.1 (Railway … S.E.R.)] parentheses added

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-12237,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-12237