244 DARWIN'S LETTERS TO R. TRIMEN 



With respect to humour, I think dogs do have it, but 

 it is necessarily only of a practical kind. Everyone 

 must have seen a dog with a piece of a stick or other 

 object in his mouth, and if his master in play tries to 

 take it away, the dog runs with prancing steps a few 

 yards away, squats down, facing his master, and waits 

 till he comes quite close and then jumps up and repeats 

 the operation, looking, as if he said, ' you are sold ". 



I have many letters to write so pray excuse brevity. 

 My book has been very successful as far as sale has been 

 concerned, and has hitherto been in most cases treated 

 very liberally by the press. My notions on the moral 

 sense have, however, been much reprobated by some 

 and highly praised by others. I have no news to tell, 

 for I have seen hardly any one for months. 



I am extremely sorry to hear that you are no freer 

 of official duties, for I feel sure if you had more leisure 

 and especially if you lived in the country, you would 

 make some grand new observations. 



With every good wish 



Pray believe me 

 Yours sincerely 

 CH. DARWIN 



17. 



Written lyy Sir George Darwin, signed by 

 Charles Darwin. 



DOWN 



BECKENHAM 



MY DEAR MR. TRIMEN, Thursd. July 27. 71 



I was much surprized to receive your letter and 

 I am sorry to hear of the cause of your hurried return 

 to England. 1 



1 In consequence of the death of his father in March, 1871. 



