Dear Darwin

I write chiefly to say that I called at the Lyell’s last Saturday, but that Sir. Chas. was too unwell to see me— I had a talk with Miss L. who told me that he had been poorly for some days, weaker & that his mind was confused, so that he could not even have Miss Buckley with him for long.¹ I am awfully sorry to hear of the fate of the Drosophyllum, & wish I had let it go straight to you from Edinburgh— Smith told me that on its arrival here he did not unpack it, but as a precaution he added another wrap to it.—²

I have not seen Mivart, except at the R. S. twice— he left both times before the meeting was over   I wish he was at Jehanum³

The Huxleys spent Monday eveng with us— he looks worn again & lacking in energy— I am sure that he is not taking care enough of himself:⁴

Of course I must not turn up my nose at the Glaucium story, nor at anything that DeCandolle believes as to new varieties of Glaucium, (of which no two specimens are alike)—⁵

We are all much the same: Harriet is quite poorly, & I hope to send her abroad next month— I shall not get to Algeria except I get a secretary—⁶ Lord Henry has not put the necessary sum in the Estimates—has in fact burked my application without saying a word to me about it— I must wait to see what the Govt. intend to do with that contemptible idiot. The row in the Office between him & the Treasury is disgraceful.— He has cut his 1^st. Secretary dead. they have no personal communication—& the official business is conducted through the 2^d Secretary, who is forbidden to mention the 1^st. Seys name in his presence!— His brother the D. of Richmond is a very different cut of man. & declines I hear to support him.⁷ Ayrton enjoys it all & laughs in his sleeve—at the mischief he has made.—⁸ The whole thing is contemptible.

Ever yr affec | J D Hooker