My dear Darwin

One line to say, that I have given instructions to Gower about Masdevallia,¹ & will write to the Cape for Bonatea-roots.²

We have got a Cook, who I hope will suit, she was Sir F. Palgrave’s, during all his widowerhood & is a most trustworthy person, too old, but that is a fault on the right side in our case:³ & at any rate she will enable me to get things belowstairs put on a proper footing— you cannot conceive the relief it is to us to have found a suitable person! Children & Governess go to Worthing tomorrow—we on Friday to Dover, we shall travel slowly. I also fear length &c of journey to Switzerland, but her heart is there, & just see what weather we have here!⁴ I saw D^r Walshe yesterday who examined her & assures me she has no organic complaint & that it is all functional⁵

I saw Lady Bell⁶ on Monday who gave a very poor account of Lyell I am grieved to say. I called in Harley street yesterday (of course did not ask to see anyone). the servant told me he was not so well that day, but that he & all would go to Eastbourne on Saturday.⁷

I heard of Lyell having had to be put in a warm bath after arrival in England.⁸

I do hope you will unravel the Melastoma mystery.⁹

Your Eczema must be very different from my father’s, which gives little or no pain.¹⁰ Paget told me that Eczema was a sort of nom de guerre for any skin complaint that had no other recognized name,—a sort of “suppressed gout:” I suppose, w^h. means any thing but Gout!.¹¹

Ever yrs affec | J D Hooker

P.S. We have just heard from Lady Lyell— Sir Charles is not well enough to go to Eastbourne on Saturday— she says she sees no one