From J. M. Herbert   23 November 1872

My dear Darwin,

I was just on the point of writing to my Bookseller an order for the Book, when I received your most kind & cheery letter—² I say “cheery”, notwithstanding what you say about being a Confirmed invalid, for it reminds me so pleasantly of our youthful friendly relations and speaks so contentedly in the suggested Postscript of M^rs. Darwin, that it gave me the greatest pleasure to read it. Very many thanks for the new book, which I doubt not will be as interesting and convincing, as any of the former ones, by which your world-wide reputation has been established.

M^rs. Herbert³ & I have not long since returned from a Continental trip of 5 weeks. We went through Belgium, Holland, & North Germany, & back by the Rhine. We were most delighted with Amsterdam, Dresden, & Nürnberg— The rest from work has given me fresh vigour, for I feel again equal to the work of my laborious Circuit, although I have nearly completed my 26^th. year of Judicial life—⁴ You ask about Whitley—⁵ he is well & hearty, &, I think, as happy in his domestic life, as a man can be. I heard from him only yesterday, & I have told him that you enquired after him. I am not surprised at what you say of Tom Butler; there was always a certain “fretchedness” in him, which would not be improved by old age, or the pastoral cares of his Nottinghamshire living.⁶ Until you mentioned it, I had no idea that Erewhon was written by his Son.⁷ I have little doubt that the Son does consider his Father a very unpleasant old man, for I am told the relations between them are anything but friendly.⁸

Did your 3^d(?) Son tell you of my making his acquaintance in a Railway Carriage? He was on his way from Archdeacon Crawleys’, & the Archdeacon was with him, & having addressed him by name, my attention was roused, & I was at once satisfied from the strong likeness that he was your Son—& so it proved, on my challenging him.⁹ I sh^d. be very glad to see him here, when he next pays the Archdeacon a visit— We live only 16 miles apart—¹⁰

My wife joins me in kindest regards to M^rs. Darwin & yourself & I am always | yours truly attached | J. M. Herbert

Charles Darwin Esq

P.S. I send you my Photo^gr. taken last summer, that you may see how old I look. My wife thinks it is the least-vicious looking of two by the same Artist.