Young John Lubbock thought it might be a new pony , and was disappointed that the news was that Charles Darwin was moving to Down House in the village . He was soon a frequent visitor to Down House , and became the closest of Darwin 's younger friends . In 1842 his father brought home a `` great piece of news '' , and while young John Lubbock initially thought that it might be a new pony and was disappointed that the news was just that Charles Darwin was moving to Down House in the village , he was soon a frequent visitor to Down House , and became the closest of Darwin 's younger friends .