Down, July 30th [1860].
I received several weeks ago your note telling me that you could not visit England, which I sincerely regretted, as I should most heartily have liked to have made your personal acquaintance.

You gave me an improved, but not very good, account of your health.

I should at some time be grateful for a line to tell me how you are.

We have had a miserable summer, owing to a terribly long and severe illness of my eldest girl, who improves slightly but is still in a precarious condition.

I have been able to do nothing in science of late.