Dear Sir

I fear that you think that I have done more than I have with respect to D^r. Hooker.² I did not feel that I had any right to ask him to remember you for a Colonial appointment: all that I have done is to speak most highly of your scientific merits.³ Of course this may hereafter fructify.— I really think you cannot go on better for educational purposes than you are now doing, observing, thinking & some reading beat, in my opinion, all systematic education. Do not despair about your style: your letters are excellently written; your scientific style is a little too ambitious. I never study style: all that I do is to try to get subject clear as I can in my own head, & express it in the commonest language which occurs to me.— But I generally have to think a good deal before simplest arrangement & words occur to me.— Even with most of our best English writers, writing is slow work: it is a great evil but there is no help for it— I am sure you have no cause to despair.—

I hope & suppose your sending a paper to Linn. Soc^y will not offend your Edinburgh friends;⁴ you might truly say that you sent the paper to me, & that (if it turns out so) I thought it worth communicating to Linn. Soc^y.—

I shall feel great interest in studying all your facts on Primula, when they are worked out & seed counted. Size of capsules is often very deceptive. I am astonished how you can find time to make so many experiments.

If you like to send me your paper tolerably well written, I would look it over & suggest any criticisms; but then this would cause you extra copying. Remember, however, that L^d. Brougham habitually wrote everything important three times over.—⁵

The cases of the Primulæ which lose by variation their dimorphic character seem to me very interesting. I find that the mid-styled (by variation) P. Sinensis is more fertile with own pollen even than a heteromorphic union!⁶

If you have time it will be very good to experiment on Linum Lewisii: I wrote formerly to Asa Gray begging for seed.—⁷ If you have time I think experiments on any peloric flowers would be useful.—⁸

I shall be sorry (& I am certain it is a mistake on part of the Society) if your Orchid paper is not printed in extenso.⁹ I am now at work compiling all such cases, & shall give a very full abstract of your observations.¹⁰ I hope to add in autumn some from you on Passiflora—¹¹ I would suggest to you the advantage at present of being very sparing in introducing theory in your papers (I formerly erred much in geology in that way):¹² let theory guide your observations, but till your reputation is well established be sparing in publishing theory. It makes persons doubt your observations.— How rarely R. Brown¹³ ever indulged in theory, too seldom perhaps.— Do not work too hard, & do not be discouraged because your work is not appreciated by the majority.—

Dear Sir | Yours faithfully | C. Darwin