My dear Fox

Your old Lady might just as well have said we were gone visiting to the moon.¹ We have, however, been away from home & returned only on Saturday from a villa which we took for 3 weeks at Sevenoaks, close to the magnificent Knole Park; as I had been working at the microscope & my head had failed.² Three weeks of extreme dullness have done me some good; but my strength fails more & more, & I find I require a rest every 6 weeks or so.— I really have no news to tell about myself, except that I finished some two months ago a small book on Expression, & which will be published at Murray’s sale early in November. I shall soon receive copies & will send you one.³ Whether you or anyone will care much about it, I know not.— How I wish I could accept your invitation & pay you a visit at Sandown;⁴ but I have long found it impossible to visit anywhere; the novelty & excitement would annihilate me.—

I am heartily glad to hear that you are better. You mentioned when you wrote last, that before leaving the Isle of Wight you had been bad.—⁵ I cannot give much of an account of my children. Three of my sons are ailing more or less, & have inherited my poor constitution.⁶ It is a fearful misfortune

Farewell | My dear old Friend | Ch. Darwin