ladies, in whose welfare his relation
to them gave him a warm interest; and a long book in 1800, on the
Philosophy of Agriculture and Gardening, which he entitled Phytologia.

On Lady Day, 1802, he took possession of an old house, called the
Priory, which had belonged to his son Erasmus, and was situated at a
short distance from Derby; and on the 17th of the next month, while he
was writing to his friend, Mr. Edgeworth, the following letter, he was
arrested by the sudden approach of death.

* * * * *

Priory, near Derby, April 17, 1802.

Dear Edgeworth,--I am glad to find that you still amuse yourself with
mechanism, in spite of the troubles of Ireland.

The use of turning aside, or downwards, the claw of a table, I don't
see, as it must be reared against a wall, for it will not stand alone.
If the use be for carriage, the feet may shut up, like the usual brass
feet of a reflecting telescope.

We have all been now removed from Derby about a fortnight, to the
Priory, and all of us like our change of situation. We have a pleasant
home, a good garden, ponds full of fish, and a pleasing valley
somewhat like Shenstone's--deep, umbrageous, and with a talkative
stream running down it. Our home is near the top of the valley, well
screened by hills from the east and north, and open to the south,
where at four miles' distance we see Derby Tower.

Four or more strong springs rise near the house, and have formed the
valley, which, like that of Petrarch, may be called Valchiusa, as it
begins, or is shut at the situation of the house. I hope you like the
description, and hope farther, that yourself or any part of your
family will sometime do me the pleasure of a visit.

Pray tell the authoress that the water-nymphs of our valley will be
happy to assist her next novel.

My bookseller, Mr. Johnson, will not begin to print the Temple of
Nature till the price of paper is fixed by Parliament. I suppose the
present duty is paid

* * * * *

To this imperfect sentence was added on the opposite side by another
hand;

Sir,--This family is in the greatest affliction. I am truly grieved to
inform you of the death of the invaluable Dr. Darwin. Dr. Darwin got
up apparently in good health; about eight o'clock, he rang the library
bell. The servant who went, said he appeared fainting. He revived
again. Mrs. Darwin wa