My dear Hooker

I have just sent off the Box to Bromley, addressed to “57 Queen Anne St, Cavendish Sq^e;² it will reach there on Saturday Evening”, so you can send for it on Monday morning. By keeping the Box till Monday I c^d. have returned 2^d vol. of Ledebour, but I thought it best to lose no time.—

I have retained 2^d, 3^d, & 4^th vols. of Ledebour, & Grisebach, which shall be despatched by separate parcel per Parcel Delivery when done with, & no time shall be lost.— I have, also, retained the Cybele Brit.

Will you bring with you Henslow’s present of Butterflies.³

I am delighted you will come: your best plan will be by Beckenham R^y from London Bridge at 5°^.20′ (remember there is crush & delay on Saturday) & thence per Bus to our door for late dinner; for we have to send on that day (Oct 31) for Etty who is coming home.⁴ Is there any chance of persuading M^rs. Hooker to come with Baby;⁵ we sh^d. be so very glad to see her. We can send you back on whatever day you must return

Thank you much for asking me to meet Sulivan:⁶ I sh^d. like it very much, though I must confess that I sh^d. prefer you two by yourselves: but it so great an excertion for me, poor contemptible wretch as I am, that nothing short of a sort of compulsion, ie, seeing you in no other way, would make me.—

Most truly yours | C. Darwin

PS. | Please remember if possible a Flora of Holland; for Miquels list, with only 47 vars. for whole Flora, works out slightly wrong way; the only case as yet.—⁷