From Mary Butler   [before 25 December 1862]¹

My dear M^r. Darwin

We were all relieved & made happy by M^rs. Darwins account of you and I wish that I could go to you now and have the very great pleasure of being once more amongst you all, but Lady Drysdale some time since, made me promise not to leave Sudbrook till after Christmas—² We are a quiet sociable party here, & the absence of even one would make some difference in the arrangements of the house. I have an interest much at heart just now, which I fear you will not be able to assist—willing to do so I am certain you will be— You remember M^r Thom—who excited y^r. admiration by the several victories which he achieved over Brandy, Opium Tobacco—& himself!! he has been the steadiest of men ever since Clever, well educated, highly principled—modest!—³ For some years he has been nominally Sub Editor of the Home News (from which M^r. Robert Bell derives the revenue) but really the sole Manager of the Paper, which has an extensive circulation, & is said to be extremely well conducted—⁴

The Sedentary life in a damp office in the City has so completely undermined his health that he is obliged to give up his employment, & has no prospect of meeting with a suitable one in this Country—so that as a last resource he is going to Queensland—at the age of 33—to spend the remainder of his days amongst Cows & Sheep (he scarcely knows one from the other) in a strange Country—where he has not even a friend; I feel for him deeply  

There are many persons to whom the services of such a man would be valuable— for his abilities are excellent—& he has the highest testimonials as to character, whilst both his appearance & manner are prepossessing— It has struck me as just possible that you may know of some place to fit him. He has been trying to get into the Constabulary but has not the proper interest to give any hope of success— he tried for the Secretaryship to an Hospital & found that there were Six hundred Candidates!!— An Inspector of Schools he once thought of, but of that there is no chance, from the Government Interest requisite— Could you speak a good word for him in some influential quarter? he would do you no discredit I believe in any way, for he is really a superior & meritorious man?

We have felt a good deal of anxiety about M^r. Smyth—who was thrown penniless upon the kind family here—but M^r. Tennant of Glasgow has given him an appointment in Trinidad where he has a prospect of becoming a Planter & doing well—⁵ he sailed for the West Indies a fortnight ago.— My dear M^r. Darwin I will not excuse myself for writing all this to you, I scarcely believe in the possibility of your having it in your power to befriend poor M^r Thom, but at all events I am assured of your most kind sympathy—⁶

My best love to M^rs. Darwin. I dont like the idea of your long beard. M^r. Davenport who is here—wears one from the same cause, but he has benefited wonderfully from the frequent use of the Turkish Bath—& is beginning to look perfectly handsome—⁷

Always Sincerely & affectionately Yours | Mary Butler