Darwin Correspondence Project

My dear Mrs. Darwin

Thank you much for your two kind notes. I could not write yesterday, as I had to be in town— I think Joseph & Dr. Gray will not be able to accomplish their visit to you until after the 12th., as Dr. & Mrs. Lombe will be with us during the previous week— But I fear that I must not hope to have the pleasure of accompanying them—for my governess is just going away for a month's holiday, & in her absence I cannot well leave home—

It is very kind of you to wish Harriet to go to Down, and I shall very gladly accept your invitation should you like to receive her at any time during her holiday—

I am sure she would greatly enjoy a little visit to you, & would delight in the pleasures of the country, as she has by no means outgrown a girl's fondness for animals of all sorts.

Willy looks pretty well, but we are charged to be extremely careful of him— his father has not yet decided what to do with him this winter—

Believe me | Yours affectly | F H Hooker

Kew W.

Sep. 24.