1829.] CAMBRIDGE. 177 



caught Mr. Harbour letting have the first pick of the 



beetles ; accordingly we have made our final adieus, my part 

 in the affecting scene consisted in telling him he was a d d 

 rascal, and signifying I should kick him down the stairs if 

 ever he appeared in my rooms again. It seemed altogether 

 mightily to surprise the young gentleman. I have no news 

 to tell you ; indeed, when a correspondence has been broken 

 off like ours has been, it is difficult to make the first start 

 again. Last night there was a terrible fire at Linton, eleven 

 miles from Cambridge. Seeing the reflection so plainly in 

 the sky, Hall, Woodyeare, Turner, and myself thought we 

 would ride and see it. We set out at half-past nine, and rode 

 like incarnate devils there, and did not return till two in the 

 morning. Altogether it was a most awful sight. I cannot 

 conclude without telling you, that of all the blackguards 

 I ever met with, you are the greatest and the best. 



C. DARWIN. 



C. Darwin to W. D. Fox. 



[Cambridge, Thursday, April 23, 1829.] 

 MY DEAR FOX, 



I have delayed answering your last letter for these 

 few days, as I thought that under such melancholy circum- 

 stances my writing to you would be probably only giving you 

 trouble. This morning I received a letter from Catherine 

 informing me of that event,* which, indeed, from your letter, 

 I had hardly dared to hope would have happened otherwise. 

 I feel most sincerely and deeply for you and all your family ; 

 but at the same time, as far as any one can, by his own good 

 principles and religion, be supported under such a misfortune, 

 you, I am assured, will know where to look for such support. 

 And after so pure and holy a comfort as the Bible affords, 

 I am equally assured how useless the sympathy of all friends 

 * The death of Fox's sister, Mrs. Bristovve. 



