WCP628

[1]

Dear Sir, In reply to your letter¹

It is with the deepest sorrow & regret that ^{& regret} I write in reply to your letter, to inform you that my father’s² is no ^more longer amongst the living ^death. After a severe illness of about three weeks he died on ^the Oct 6^{th inst} in the present year. I greatly wish that he had ^{Would that he could have} lived to have seen your letter. It would have afforded him so much pleasure. Lately he had spoken about you a great deal and was especially interested in your articles which onto book ^{recent contributions} to the Fortnightly Review on ^{entitled on the} [illeg. ^of "Mans Place in the Universe." And nNow his interest in every thing has ceased—I hope not forever.

With regards to your enquiry I cannot find anything at present that might be useful to your friend, but if he could make it convenient to call upon me at any time I should be happy to show my father’s ^{him him any} books or papers that were in my father’s possession. I am afraid, ^however that apart from bound there is not much that would be ^{He might easily also get much information about my uncles3 papers — Mr Janson, 44 Great Russell St London}

My father himself worked very hard at entomology ^{my father left a great did considerable work in Entomology} & there is a large quantity of material both printed & in M.S. which ^{himself and I am happy just now in h arranging}his papers both printed & in M. S. Unfort [2] unately I know nothing of Entomology myself ^myself but ^{am glad to say that} have several good friends ^{two Entom: two} of my father’s ^{Entom friends} are assisting me in the matter. ^test

I beg to enclose an In Memoriam Card, of my father who & trusting you are ^{in enjoyment of} in good health.

with

Believe me ^{believe me} | Yours very sincerely | Ernest F. Bates³ [signature]