From F. S. B. F. de Chaumont to W. E. Darwin   16 April 1871

My dear Darwin,

I called at the bank yesterday to talk over the subject of your letter, but you were not there. I shall be most happy to place my letter at your father’s disposal, but I hope he will put in assistant-Professor, as that is my true position—¹ In speaking of my wife² I presume he means by English, British extraction; her father being Scotch & mother English³ although perhaps English is really rigidly correct, as the non-Gaelic Scots & the Northumbrians are both Angle in origin—

I do not remember ever to have seen the platysma myoides contract under any of the circumstances you name,—at least I never gave any particular attention to it—⁴ As to the voluntary contraction I have seen some cases and I can do it myself completely, as I shall be happy to show you some day— My sister⁵ has also voluntary command over it—

I am unable to answer the question about the pupil in ague,—but then I have seen very little of the disease— I put the question to D^r. Parkes⁶ and he says it does not change— I hear however that a number of cases have come in yesterday and if possible I will get some information on the point.— I may look in upon you tomorrow on my way up to the Rehearsal

Yours very sincerely | F. de Chaumont

W. E. Darwin Esq^r