My dear Hooker

I was very glad to hear that poor dear Henslow is at rest.¹ I fully believe a better man never walked this earth. What a loss he will be to his parish! I can well believe how you will miss him. I well remember his saying before you married that if he could have picked out anyone for his son-in-law, it would have been you.— How kind he was to me as an undergraduate constantly asking me to his House & taking me long walks. I am thankful to think that at the time I fully enjoyed & appreciated his kindness. I suppose Babington will be Professor at Cambridge.² What a contrast!

Give our kindest remembrances to M^rs. Hooker.³ My wife admired from her heart poor dear Henslow

Farewell my dear Friend | Your affect— | C. Darwin

By the way, thanks about Beaton: I have now read more of his writings & one answer to me in C. Gardener;⁴ & I can plainly see that he is not to be trusted. He does not well know his own subject of crossing. He has learnt largely from Herbert, but exaggerates all Herberts opinions grossly.⁵ Says not one plant in a thousand is ever fertilised by its own pollen! gives some exceptions & these are false & so on.— Coolly assumes that all Botanists have blundered & that it is an entire mistake that pollen-grains emit a tube which penetrates the stigma!!!—⁶

I like London R. so much better than Athenæum, that I will take it in. Will you send me only one more. But would it be worth while to take it in jointly?⁷ I do not care about having it first— Perhaps not worth while.—

P.S. | I do not know what is the matter with Lyell,—⁸ I suspect something surgical or unmentionable.— He has been confined to bed for some time & has required incessant nursing. Lady L. is in very good heart about him; but I heard that Doctor said he did not make so quick process as he liked, & this I did not much like.— A longish confinement & not rapid progress does not sound well; but I hope there is no risk.— I wish I knew what was matter. Emma saw Lady Lyell a few days ago.—⁹