Ɛpsilon

To T. H. Farrer   13 October 1879

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

Oct 13th 1879

My dear Farrer

I thank you cordially for your letter, which has filled us all with joy; & Emma particularly desires me to say how very happy it has made her.1 It is as you say a golden rule not “to dwell on by-gones”; but let me repeat that I was not in the least surprised at your demurring to the marriage on account of Horace’s weak health & his not being able to do much work.2 The match, moreover, is a poor one for Ida in a worldly point of view; & she is altogether charming.— On the other hand I must say that Horace has as sweet a temper & as unselfish a disposition as anyone whom I have ever known; & this is of more importance for the happiness of married life than wealth, grandeur or distinction, & more even than strong health.—

I beg you to give my love to Effie,3 & once again accept my very true thanks.

Believe me, my dear Farrer | Ever yours sincerely. | Charles Darwin

1
See letter from T. H. Farrer, 12 October 1879. Farrer had withdrawn his objections to making public the engagement of Horace Darwin and Ida Farrer.
3
Effie Farrer was T. H. Farrer’s wife and CD and Emma Darwin’s niece.

Manuscript Alterations and Comments

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

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-12256A,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-12256A