My dear Darwin
I have not been able to answer your letter2 before in consequence of an attack of fever which has kept me in bed the last 5 days—& I am at present about as strong as a drowning kitten— I hope to be about again soon. I wish I was at Malvern under Gully.3
What you mention about your dear childs grave stone is to me, almost incredible.4 Is it possible you have overlooked it in consequence of its being buried up by surrounding trees & shrubs, as I can easily imagine it might be by this time.
It is very difficult to describe an exact locality—but either my wife5 or I could go to the spot, almost blindfold. A line drawn in line with East end of Church to the road—would nearly cut it I think.
Again—entering the Yard from the lower Gate—& following the path to the main entrance of Church—it is almost 1 third of way—no great distance to right (as to go to the Church)—among se- several tombs which have shrubs & trees thickly planted round them—& even when I last saw it—a good deal covering up this stone.
I am sure it was there in June 1859.6 It was a good strong upright stone—and I remember well “To a good & dear child”.7
If it has been taken away it is one of the most audacious and abominable villainies I ever heard of—& without object—as the digging up—carrying off & reworking the stone would cost more than its worth.
I must not write more— Pray rest yourself & give Malvern a fair chance— Our kindest regards to Mrs Darwin | Yours ever | W D Fox
Please cite as “DCP-LETT-4296,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on