With sincere thanks for your letter, and with most deeply-felt wishes for your success in science and in every way, believe me your sincere well-wisher,
C. DARWIN.
Of the letters from Wallace to Darwin which have been preserved, the earliest is the following:
5 Westbourne Grove Terrace, W. April 7, 1862.
My dear Mr. Darwin,—I was much pleased to receive your note this morning. I have not yet begun work, but hope to be soon busy. As I am being doctored a little I do not think I shall be able to accept your kind invitation at present, but trust to be able to do so during the summer.
I beg you to accept a wild honeycomb from the island of Timor, not quite perfect but the best I could get. It is of a small size, but of characteristic form, and I think will be interesting to you. I was quite unable to get the honey out of it, so fear you will find it somewhat in a mess; but no doubt you will know how to clean it. I have told Stevens to send it to you.
Hoping your health is now quite restored and with best wishes, I remain, my dear Mr. Darwin, yours very sincerely,
ALFRED R. WALLACE.
5 Westbourne Grove Terrace, W. May 23, 1862.