My dear Darwin

I am got back from Malvern very much better for D^r Gully. I sadly miss the Douche here & wish I had yours. My substitutes are 3 pails of water thrown over me on rising before a shallow—& 6 minutes water poured down spine at Noon—but they do not fill the place of the Douche. It certainly is a wonderful system, & the class of Incurables getting well there is quite a study. All the D^rs are making fortunes. I think there are eight there now, who have plenty to do with Gullys leavings.

I have today received the enclosed letter in answer to my 〈    〉

〈    〉 “Peas are grown extensively by the Mess^rs Sharp (Sleaford) and as they are considered liable to Mésalliances considerable precautions are employed to secure separation”

I noted this, the week after you had made enquiries about Leguminous Plants hybridising. As “in the multitude of Counsellors is wisdom” I will add my experience upon the same plant, Pease. I have grown “The Queen Pea”—a great favourite with us some ten years past, with many other sorts in Garden by them, & never find the seed deteriorate in the least, & I do not therefore believe Mess^rs. Sharp.