Dear Darwin

I am here on a short visit to my old Antarctic companion D^r Lyall, who is married & settled here—¹ I return to Kew on Tuesday—

My wife tells me that Mr Haeckel called in my absence, I am sorry for it, as I should have much liked to make his acquaintance.²

I left such stringent written orders about the Euryale seeds that I cannot but hope they are carried out faithfully & will see when I get back:³ but the labor & difficulty I experience in getting anything scientifically done by practical men is untold.

I called yesterday on Mr Henry Wedgwood, but found him ill in bed I am sorry to say— I had the pleasure of seeing Mrs Wedgwood & her daus.⁴ They have a lovely view from their windows: the only pretty one I have seen in this neighbourhood

How odd Huxley joining the Eyre prosecution fund— I suppose you approve—⁵ I have no notion of kicking a poor devil when he is down, & as to principles they are fiddle sticks under such circumstances of mismanagement. The nation tacitly submits to have Governors made of heaven born politicians; Geograph. Soc: Lions,⁶ & nine days wonders, & when the poor devils make a mess of it (which they are sure to do when difficulty arises) we persecute them on principle.—

Euryale germinates promptly in a pan of mud placed in a warm place, inside your Nepenthes-hutch should suit it I would say.⁷

Ever yr affec | J D Hooker

I think I told you that the Treasury have agreed to put in a vote next year for purchase of my fathers Herb^m. books, mss, portraits &c &c—£7000 in all.⁸