From Mary Boott   18 January 1864

Dear M^r. Darwin

I had not intended so long a time should have elapsed since sorrow came upon me,¹ without sending you the message my revered husband did, not more than two days before he died & when he called me to his bed side & said, “Mary, I wish if you have the opportunity you will let M^r Darwin know that I die as I have lived, with the profoundest admiration of his genius, & with the deepest respect for him as the man: he & D^r. Joseph Hooker² are the only two individuals I ever class together for their rare qualities, & for a modesty & unaffected simplicity in unison with their high caracteristics”.. These words, my dear sir were uttered by one who knew not how to flatter, & who you will forgive his poor wife for saying was worthy the deep love & respect of those his few dying words thus eulogised

Will you present me very gratefully to M^rs. Darwin for her kind note,³ & say that this would have been to her rather than yourself, had I not felt I had a sacred trust to perform in sending directly to yourself the few words I have done—⁴

I am | dear Sir | Yours with much respect | Mary Boott