To Francis Darwin   18 October [1870]¹

My dear Frank

I enclose cheque for 115£:² I expected of course to have to aid you as you were so much longer than usual at Cambridge, but the above is rather more than I expected; & what is worse I do not see how you can hold out for this quarter with only £46^.5^.0.—³ But never, for God’s sake, conceal debts from me, & tell me now, whether you owe any more: tell me this & think deliberately when you acknowledge the cheque to Down, where we return on Thursday morning.⁴

As you have not kept accounts it is of course impossible for you know how you have overspent your income.— Let me urge you to make a point of conscience (& then I know it will be done, i.e. if I can persuade you that it is a duty) to keep accounts.— You cannot be sure about paying your debts if you do not, nor can you tell how to economise & spend your income to best advantage. I have never known a man who was too idle to attend to his affairs & accounts, who did not get into difficulties; & he who habitually is in money difficulties, very rarely keeps scrupulously honourable, & God forbid that this sh^d. ever be your fate.— If you once got into habit of attending to your money, & this implies keeping accounts, you w^d. feel it very little trouble. My father,⁵ who was the wisest man I ever knew, thought it the duty of every man, young & old, to keep an account of his money; & I very unwillingly obeyed him; for I was not always so bothersome an old fellow as I daresay I appear to you.—

We have been to Leith Hill & came here yesterday & have enjoyed ourselves; though mamma is not very well to day. This is a wonderfully curious & pretty place.⁶

Your affectionate Father | Ch. Darwin