Darwin, Charles

explaining his reason for wishing to meet ("...to ask a little advice on education of one of my Boys, on which subject I remembered to have heard you once talk as it you had thought over the subject..."), inviting Cresy and his wife to stay but warning that "we are a dismal house: my daughter has been very ill for 15 weeks" and his own health remains poor, 4 pages, Down House, Bromley, Kent, 25 August, [1860] framed and glazed

DCP-LETT-2899

Condition is described int he main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"...I am on most days a poor wretch unable to sit a whole evening even with my nearest relations..."

This letter, written during the illness of Darwin's daughter Henrietta, was written to Edward Cresy, a surveyor, architect, and founder member of the Geologists' Association. He probably wished to discuss the education of his son Leonard. On 15 September Darwin wrote to Leonard's prospective tutor, G.V. Reed, with his concern that the boy was "rather slow and backward" (DCP-LETT-2918).