Ɛpsilon

From W. E. Darwin   [1869–75]1

Ashton Lodge, | Bassett, Southampton.

Friday

My dear Father

Please ask Mother to decipher the enclosed from Capt Forrest chief Constable of Hants.2 I know Knight3 a little he seems above the average in brains, & I would sooner take Capt Forrest’s opinion as to his fitness than any man I know.

I suppose you could hardly send it to Sir John as he is called a “Beak”4 but if he calls perhaps you could mention his name, as I should like to oblige Forrest. I have told him you will have nothing to do with the election, or Sir J. either probably.

I am afraid you know no one well enough at Maidstone5 to enclose the note to without comment. If as good as any other Knight deserves a lift as he has been shamefully cut out by his Father for a marriage (to a very pleasant person)

I did not see Hacon,6 but told the case to his head man, & expect a letter.

Your affect son | W E. Darwin

1
The date range is based on the address. William lived at Ashton Lodge from around 1869 until 1875.
2
The enclosure from John Henry Forrest, chief constable of Hampshire, has not been found.
3
Knight has not been identified.
4
John Lubbock was justice of the peace for Kent (Burke’s peerage). ‘Beak’ is slang for magistrate or justice of the peace (OED).
5
Lubbock was Liberal MP for Maidstone, Kent, from 1870 to 1880 (ODNB).
6
William Mackmurdo Hacon was CD’s solicitor.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-9224F,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-9224F