From Gerard Krefft   6 September 1873

Dear Mr Darwin

I thank you for your last letter and also for the Origin of Species which has been duly received.¹ I am proud of your good opinion and shall try and bring up my little boy as I would have liked to have been brought up myself²   I spent ten years of my life in the dreary work of a merchants office in a little German country town³   I was 8 years a Gold digger in this colony & in Victoria and when above 30 I first began to study natural History   I never had a teacher since I left school at 14 years & I regret to say that I do not know latin or greek except just suffici⁠⟨⁠en⁠⟩⁠t to look up a word in the lexicon.

I consider it my duty to tell you all this because there are many errors in my writings & the mode of expressing myself may not be always a happy one   I shall try and deserve your good opinion in future and will not trouble you any more   I do not know much about plants but a hint from you is sufficient, if you desire observations of any kind; besides I know many Gardeners and am ready to serve you whenever you ask me to do so.—

May you be able to accomplish your task and enlighten the ignorant, I shall always remain | my dear Mr Darwin | your most devoted | Gerard Krefft

Ch Darwin Esq | FRS. &c