Ɛpsilon

From E. A. Darwin   25 September [1873]1

Abinger Hall

25th Sep

Dear Charles

I was struck all of a heap by the plan, & tho’ quite in favour of it I feel very sorry at Frank’s giving up his profession. I had got to believe in his success he took so heartily to his work and all the Doctors seemed to believe in him. After all he is a Darwin and the chances are against any of our unfortunate family being fit for continuous work and it is such an immense point gained to be able to regulate the times of working and to be able to ease of strains & so keep his health.2 It will be delightful for all of you & for him & Amy3 & it is only losing money which he might never get and a much better opportunity of getting reputation and heaven knows what Professorships   I had hoped to have had a talk with him but was kept here by not being well and now go home on Sat when he probably will be gone to Down.4 It will make home quite a different place for you.

Love & congrats to all | yours affec. | EAD

1
The year is established by the relationship between this letter and the letter to E. A. Darwin, 20 September 1873.
2
Francis Darwin wished to give up his medical training and become CD’s secretary (see letter to E. A. Darwin, 20 September 1873).
3
Amy Ruck was Francis Darwin’s fiancée.
4
Erasmus Darwin was staying with Thomas Henry and Katherine Euphemia Farrer; his home was 6 Queen Anne Street, London. Francis lived with Erasmus Darwin while studying medicine at St George’s Hospital, London (F. Darwin 1920, p. 63 n. 1).

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-9069,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-9069