From Thomas Bell   4 January 1858

My dear Henslow

Were I to go on making such exchanges as that which has just taken place between us, I might speculate with the certainty of great gain— (if certainty can consist with speculation)—Caoutchouc against silver is a winning game— I accept with great pleasure your pencil case, as a keepsake from one whose friendship I greatly value & whom I cordially esteem & respect—

May it please God to give to you & all dear to you a peaceful new year— Peace & ever happiness are not incompatible with those afflictions which come from the Hand of a merciful God, and are not the result of our own faults—

Ever sincerely yours | Thomas Bell

[P.S.] My wife desires her kind regards, and thanks you very heartily for your kind present of the book which she will value on more than one account— Thanks too for your letter on Church rates, in every word of which I entirely agree[.] We care for Selborne day to day—