From Sarah Owen   [27–30 September 1831]

My dear Charles,

You see I am as good as my word, or rather Mr Baker is, for I enclose the promised Pin,1 the hair is genuine, & I am much flattered in the idea that it is destined to accompany you round the world—

We all felt very melancholy after your departure on Sunday, I do not know what Woodhouse will do without you for so long, but I hope & trust we may both meet with success in our respective new careers, & live to meet here again very very often; remember your promise about No.1, Belgrave St.2 & pray think of me in the mean time, & write whenever you have an idle half hour. I assure you my parting promise to you shall be most religiously kept, & you may expect a true & correct account from the Pen of the Sufferer herself—

I am so glad you have a short reprieve for the sake of your Family, though perhaps you are not so well pleased with the delay—

God bless you, my dear Charles, believe that whenever I may change my title, I shall always remain your very sincere & affectionate Friend | Sarah—

The pin, inserted in the letter, is preserved at the Cambridge University Library (DAR 204.4).
Sarah’s address after her marriage.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-137,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-137