Dear Darwin

That is a capital letter of Fritz Mueller’s, many thanks for it.—¹

We were very glad to hear of you,—but this is bad news of Henrietta— give her our love, & best wishes for her recovery.² I hope you are not anxious about her. I am delighted to hear of the Orchis-book, if that does not goad them into electing you to the Academy I do not know what will— I would not make many additions, it is very full as it is—³

As for me I am working like an “Injine” but not to much scientific purpose— Firstly I am threatened with being sent to S^t. Petersburgh by Govt. to represent British Botanists & Horticulturalists (God help them) at the approaching Congress which the Emperor has taken up.—⁴ I hate the sort of thing—but shall have to go.—about 12^th May.— Consequently I am mugging up French as hard as I can, with a French Baron! for 2 hours from London who gives leçons on pronunciation,—with French novels with my wife, & French talk with the “spirituelle” Miss Symonds, who has been 10 days here & has captivated us entirely—⁵ Then I am working away at this British Flora,⁶ & lastly getting 3 months ahead with my current duties, with the view of extending my travels from S^t. Petersburgh for 2 months to the S.E. perhaps—& picking myself up somewhere.

Have you read Huxley upon Protoplasm?.⁷ & what do you think of it— I am on the look out for his G. Soc. Address, which Lyell says is “something of extraordinary” (you see I am getting on in French!)⁸

We are all well— no news of Willy yet— Charlie is launched at Marlborough & takes a good place, which he probably will not keep—⁹

We fertilized a large Aucuba ¹⁰ last year with the pollen of various varieties (or species) & there appear on the bush here & there, besides the common form of fruit , a few of another form whose pollen was amongst that used   There are none of intermediate form & b is still green, though all a is ripe   I will try to have definite experiments made.

Ever yrs affec | J D Hooker