66 EVOLUTION [Chap.I1 



Letter 28 To J. S. Ilenslow. 



The Lodge, Malvern, May 6lh, 1849. 



Your kind note has been forwarded to me here. You will 

 be surprised to hear that we all — children, servants, and all — 

 have been here for nearly two months. All last autumn and 

 wintcrTny health grew worse and worse : incessant sickness, 

 tremulous hands, and swimming head. I thought I was 

 going the way of all flesh. Having heard of much success 

 in some cases from the cold-water cure, I determined to 

 give up all attempts to do anything and come here and put 

 myself under Dr. Gully. It has answered to a considerable 

 extent : my sickness much checked and considerable strength 

 gained. Dr. G., moreover (and I hear he rarely speaks 

 confidently), tells me he has little doubt but that he can cure 

 me in the course of time — time, however, it will take. I have 

 experienced enough to feel sure that the cold-water cure is 

 a great and powerful agent and upsetter of all constitutional 

 habits. Talking of habits, the cruel wretch has made me 

 leave off snuff — that chief solace of life. We thank you most 

 sincerely for your prompt and early invitation to Hitcham for 

 the British Association for 1850 : l if I am made well and 

 strong, most gladly will I accept it ; but as I have been 

 hitherto, a drive every day of half a dozen miles would be 

 more than I could stand with attending any of the sections. 

 I intend going to Birmingham 2 if able ; indeed, I am bound 

 to attempt it, for I am honoured beyond all measure in 

 being one of the Vice-Presidents. I am uncommonly glad 

 you will be there ; I fear, however, we shall not have any 

 such charming trips as Nuneham and Dropmore. 3 We shall 

 stay here till at least June 1st, perhaps till July 1st ; and 

 I shall have to go on with the aqueous treatment at home 

 for several more months. One most singular effect of the 

 treatment is that it induces in most people, and eminently 

 in my case, the most complete stagnation of mind. I have 

 ceased to think even of barnacles ! I heard some time since 



1 The invitation was probably not for 1850, but for 185 1, when the 

 Association met at Ipswich. 



3 The Association met at Birmingham in 1849. 



3 In a letter to Hooker (Oct. 12th, 1849) Darwin speaks of "that 

 heavenly day at Dropmore." {Life and Letters, I., p. 379.) 



