Charles Darwin (1809-1882)
Autograph letter signed ('Ch. Darwin') to [Thomas Rivers], Down, 5 March [1863]
3½ pages, bifolium, printed address. Provenance: The Property of a Lady; Sotheby's, 23 & 24 July 1987, lot 361.

'I have been very unwell ... It breaks my heart, with so many things to do & observe'. Darwin thanks Rivers for information about 'weeping trees' (in response to a request in his previous letter): 'If you could remember, when you see the Weeping Elm in seed, & would send me a few seed; I would force them on, & see whether they weeped'. He reports on other fruit trees sent to him by Rivers, including a 'double Peach' which is 'in beautiful flower'. His own health is worse: 'I have been very unwell (& my hand is tremulous & worse than usual) for last 10 days & have very great fear I must knock off all work & go to Malvern for two months. It breaks my heart, with so many things to do & observe'. He concludes with a reference to a recent trip to Kew Gardens, where Joseph Dalton Hooker 'burst out in admiration of your articles'.

Darwin's reference to Malvern is to the hydropathic establishment of James Manby Gully at Great Malvern, where he first stayed during a four-month visit in 1849. The tremulousness of his hand is evident in the letter, especially in the signature. There has been much inconclusive speculation as to the cause of Darwin's lifelong ill-health. DCP-LETT-4023.