Ɛpsilon

To George King   29 September 1880

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

Sept. 29th. 1880

Dear Sir

I am much obliged for your letter & for the trouble about the specimens.1 I was truly grieved to hear of John Scott’s death: he did not write to me.— It was very kind of you to visit his poor relations.— I did what I could by getting them an introduction to a neighbouring clergyman, who I thought might aid them in the disposal of Scotts property.— They wanted me to go down there; but I have very little strength & the journey was much too long for me.—2

I had not heard before receiving your note that you were in England. I shd. very much like to have the pleasure of making your personal acquaintance. Can you spare the time to come here to dinner & sleep any day soon, which would suit you? If so, you had better leave Charing Cross for Orpington St. by the 4o5′ train or 5o.5′ if more convenient. I shd. almost certainly be able to send you a carriage to meet you at the Station & take you back next morning. Please observe that the Trains may possibly be changed on Oct 1st.—3

I hope that you may feel inclined to come.— & if so be so kind as to let me hear.

I am now writing a little essay on the action of worms, and the information which you formerly gave me has proved invaluable.—4 I had forgotten, until carefully going over all your notes, what immense trouble you had so kindly taken for me

My dear Sir | Yours sincerely | Ch. Darwin

2
John Scott had died at his sister’s house at Garvald, East Lothian, on 11 June 1880 (ODNB). Scott’s uncle, Ebenezer Turnbull, informed CD of Scott’s death in a letter dated 17 June 1880 (Correspondence, vol. 30 Supplement). The clergyman has not been identified.
3
King probably visited Down on 4 October 1880; see letter to George King, 2 October 1880.
4
King had previously supplied CD with information about earthworms; see Correspondence vol. 20, letters to George King, 28 October 1872 and November 1872; Correspondence vol. 21, letter to George King, 18 February 1873. CD discussed King’s observations and specimens of worms and casts in Earthworms, pp. 5, 106–8, 117, 126–8, 161–3, 168, 274–8, 281, 285. Earthworms was published in October 1881 (Freeman 1977).

Manuscript Alterations and Comments

0.1 (Railway … S.E.R.)] parentheses added
2.3 soon] above del ‘during next week’
2.6 at the Station] interl
3.1 & … hear.] added

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-12730,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-12730