My dear Hooker

I am ashamed of myself. I have found Verlot,¹ which had been swept up with some other pamphlet on a quite different subject.— I cannot say that I am sorry I wrote, as it got a note from you.—² How I wish that you were not so overworked with correspondence & all sorts of things.

I write now chiefly to say that though scarcely anything or rather nothing would give me so much pleasure as seeing you here for a day, yet I may have to put you off next Sunday (if you are able to come);³ for my poor sister M^rs. Langton is dying at Shrewsbury, or rather in a hopeless state, & whether or not she may linger for some time I do not think the Doctors know.⁴ I am sure I wish all was over with her. In case of her death I sh^d. not like to have anyone, even you, in the House.— I will write, if I hear she gets nearer her end.— Poor thing she suffers much.—

I continue much the same & am able to write for 1$\frac{1}{2}$ or even 2 hours & read a little to myself; but my stomach keeps very bad.—⁵ What a horrid wretch you are to remind me of my coal-plant prophecy. The coal-formation will ever be an enigma to be.—⁶

I rejoice over the Nottingham Lecture.⁷ I am sure you will do it excellently— you know the subject so well & by all accounts did the Bishop so well at Oxford.—⁸ Will it be printed; if not you really must let me read M.S. By Jove I do not envy you the job; for I cannot conceive anything more difficult than making such a lecture; I do not mean on your subject, but on any blessed subject whatever.—

Yours affect | C. Darwin

We take in Pall Mall Gazette & agree it is admirable.—⁹