To J. S. Henslow 12 October [1855]
Down Bromley Kent
Oct. 12th
My dear Henslow
I write one line to thank you for your note & Programme. I was, also, interested by the brief account in the Gardeners’ Chronicle.1 You little know how difficult, not to say impossible & how awful it would be to many, & to myself for one; to lecture or lecturette to a crowd of people. I would sooner pay 50£ for a good lecturer to come here; but in the same proportion as I shd. dread such an undertaking, so do I honour you for all you do: how I should like to see you at one of your Exhibitions!
Before many months are over I shall have to go over all my cirripedial collections & then I will not forget the Whale & Turtle parasites,2 if, as I believe, I have any to spare.
I have lately been reading in M.S. an admirable essay by Hooker on variation,— geographical range— & other such high & curious points &c. & it strikes as a first rate production, worthy of a son-in-law of you.—3
Ever my dear Henslow | Most truly Yours | C. Darwin
Footnotes
Summary
Is impressed by all JSH is doing with his lectures and exhibitions at Hitcham.
Has read admirable Hooker MS on variation, geographical range, etc. [Introductory essay to the Flora Indica (1855)].
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-1765
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- John Stevens Henslow
- Sent from
- Down
- Source of text
- DAR 93: A117–18
- Physical description
- ALS 4pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 1765,” accessed on 25 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-1765.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 5