My dear Hooker

I have just received your note with sincere grief: there is no help for it. I shall always look at your intention of coming here, under such circumstances, as the greatest proof of friendship I ever received from mortal man.— My conscience would have upbraided me in not having come to you on Thursday, but as it turned out I could not, for I was quite unable to leave Shrewsbury before that day, & I reached home only last night much knocked up.— Without I hear tomorrow (which is hardly possible) & if I am feeling pretty well, I will drive over to Kew on Monday Morning, just to say farewell: I will stay only an hour. But I beg you not to stay at home on any account, I shall arrive pretty early, leaving my Phaeton at Dulwich & taking a fly: but it must depend on my stomach & that has been lately very bad.—

Even if you do not sail till the 15^th, you must not come over here: it is not fair for your relations or for yourself with all your business.—

I will write a letter on science which you can read on board.

I thank Miss Henslow most sincerely for her kind wish to see me.

Yours affectionately | C. Darwin

I congratulate you heartily on the completion of your great Flora Antarctica.¹

I will come about 12 oclock on Monday, if able to come.—