From Adam Sedgwick 6 November 1858

My dear Henslow

I am confined to my room by a vile stupifying cold, & at present good for nothing in the way of work. But I have been trying to answer some letters, which load my file. Yours of Octr 31 is among them. I am plucked to the very bone but I do not know how to refuse an application from you. So pray put me down Sovreign and dun me for it when we next meet.

I saw your son the other day & was much interested by his account of a well sinking, on your coast, down into a slate rock. I had heard of it before but doubted of it. I hope you are all flourishing upon the glacial drift of Hitcham. My Lectures fatigue me - only 3 a week. - My 40th and last course: & the meetings in our Combination room, about our new statutes, bother my senses. The reason of my frequent giddiness is that my brain is shrunk thro' age & too big for its skull bone. Kind regards to your daughters.

I was not well during my Norwich residence in September. Frequent attacks of giddiness prevented me from preaching. Dick & his wife, their four children & two nurses, over and above my own household - so filled my residence that Fanny Hicks was obliged to sleep out at the Deanery. Isabella was detained at Dent by her father's horrible sickness.

I went to see him early in October & remained as long as I could.

We had a very sorrowful parting for I did not think that I should ever see his living form again. I never [illeg. - page torn] of Mr Ralfs & his work on the Desmidiaea, but wish you all success in your application.

Ever yours affectionately

A Sedgwick

P.S. I am writing as a sheep (as I have now discovered) [illeg. - page torn] which I had ten days since made a start & come to a rather premature stop.