My dear Darwin

You have probably heard of poor Wollastons misfortune—² lost his all in a mercantile association, in which he invested, & from which he has not had 1^d.— he is off to Boulogne—

I am writing to Lubbock & Stainton³ to know if we could not organize a means of saving to the poor fellow, his books & collections at any rate—which should be sacred in ⁠⟨⁠any⁠⟩⁠ case. I need not ask whether you would join. poor Wollaston, he writes a little bitterly of his fellow creatures. I am glad he is with Stainton, than whom a more liberal & estimable man I believe never lived.—

But this is not what I resolved yesterday to write to you about, but your boys college success, which has delighted every body—⁴ I greatly wonder how you take it, do tell me— I do not think I should be [only] proud, but awfully pleased. They say that the Senior is simply a prodigy.⁵

This is an interesting House.⁶ The pictures most beautiful & attractive too.— “Frances, Lady Bunbury”⁷ is much subdued, & I am enjoying myself, which must be a great comfort to all my dear friends’— I leave on Monday for Kew

Ever yr affec | J D Hooker.