Darwin, Francis

Francis Darwin an Ernst Haeckel, Down, 5. August 1882

Down

Beckenham

Aug 5 82

Dear Sir,

On my return last night I found your precious letters waiting for me; this will I hope^a excuse my tardy acknowledgement of their safe arrival. I am extremely grateful to you for your kindness in allowing me to see them – and I assure you || I consider it a great privilege to be allowed to do so.

I am sorry that you should have had the trouble of collecting them in such a press of work – I had no wish to press you, my postcard was written because you had previously let me ||

know^b that I might expect them soon & I became anxious lest they should have been despatched & lost.

Many thanks for your warning about Zacharias of whom I had previously formed a bad opinion.

With repeated thanks

Yours faithfully & obliged

Francis Darwin

Will you let me send you the last photograph of || my father, it is carbon printed & therefore I hope will not fade. Please do not acknowledge it –

^a eingef.: I hope; ^b eingef.: know