My dear Hooker

Your scheme of my joining you to Hitcham¹ would indeed be pleasant (not but what I sh^d. be decidedly de trop with one lady & perhaps with one gentleman) but I do not see how it can be effected. We are having & have had shoals of relations with us, but what keeps me more at home is that I expect a visit from Prof. Studer of Berne about that time & in my invitation I told him I sh^d. be at home all the beginning of August. I dread this visit not a little.— I must & will have my two days at Kew before I go to Shrewsbury. I have had such a number of applications to go & give my vote for Le Fevre² & my political conscience urges me in the same direction that I have had some thoughts of going to Cambridge for a day, but I expect my zeal & virtue will evaporate.— Pray thank Henslow much for his invitation for the 10^th. He wrote to me about Lefevre & I refused point blanck, but my conscience has hurt me ever since.—³

I heartily wish you joy at some of your work coming to a close.⁴

I suppose Miss Hooker⁵ is not at home: I much hope she continues pretty well; pray tell me whenever you write next: what famous things picnics are for knowing & becoming attached to people—a sentiment to which you will respond in the strongest form.—

Ever yours | C. D.

I have heard nothing about the coal=marine=vegetation for a long time.—