From O. G. Rejlander   15 December 1874

My dear Sir

I dare say I shall not see you again—see the enclosed emaciated fig^s.—¹ Altho’ friends say I want no more Doctors but good looks— But I have a good thing to tell you and a good thing to give you—if I can send it—safely to a Town-adr.s—

The telling is this: the other cold night I was awoke out of my first slumber by the vigorous attack on the wainscote by a rat or big mouse— I was too ill to get up & had nothing to throw at the place so I bethought myself of what I had tried before—successefuly—but taken to be chance or coincident— I mewed, very-like a Cat. and the mouse stopped ceased its labor to get in for a warming expecting to be pounced upon— — After some time my wife²—I did not know she was awake—jogged me with her elbow and laughed out-right— “Well I never” “She’s gone— I couldn’t have believed it— I did not believe it when you told me before”

I laid awake for hours afterwards—but no mousie— I have drawn my conclusion   You will draw yours.

What I have to give you is a groupe of stuffed sparrows. i.e. A hen with a little one on either side—with fluttering wings—feeding—one at a time— I saw it 15 years ago when my dog brought the crumbs for the birds— I sketched it then but have this year got it represented like Nature—

I am yours very truly | O G Rejlander

Chas. Darwin Esqr