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From Charlotte Maria Cooper Darwin   25 January [1868]1

Creskeld, | Otley.

Jany. 25th.

Dear Mr. Darwin,

Judging by my own feelings as a Parent,2 I feel sure you will excuse my troubling you with a few lines to express the pleasure and pride we feel in seeing the nam⁠⟨⁠e⁠⟩⁠ of one of your son⁠⟨⁠s⁠⟩⁠ as second Wrangler at Cambridge—3

Mr. Darwin4 begs to unite with me in Congratulations to yourself & Mrs. Darwin, and we so much regret, that you did not tell us of your ⁠⟨⁠bo⁠⟩⁠y’s being at school at Clapham, as it is not so very far from us, and we should have had such pleasure in shewing him any attention.5

We are still in our old house, & intend to remain, until the smoke of the manufacturing district, drives us away, & I trust neither you, nor any of your family, will ever pass our way, without letting us know.

With very kind regards, believe me | Yrs. sincerely | Charlotte M C Darwin

1
The year is established by the reference to George Howard Darwin’s examination (see n. 3, below).
2
Charlotte had eight children (Darwin pedigree).
3
George Howard Darwin was second in the mathematical honours examination at Cambridge; the position was known as ‘second wrangler’ (Cambridge University calendar 1868).
5
George attended Clapham Grammar School from 1856 to 1864 (CD’s Classed account books (Down House MS)). Charlotte’s family had two residences, Creskeld Hall in Yorkshire, and Elston Hall in Nottinghamshire. There is a Clapham in Yorkshire, but Horace and Leonard Darwin were at school in Clapham, London.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-5799,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-5799