Dear Darwin

I have long been wanting to know what you were doing: & am so very glad to find that you are at Drosera again.¹

We are on the move, I go, as you know, on Wednesday, & hope to take great care of Huxley—² My wife & the little ones go to Broadstairs for a month,³ Willy remains at home, & will also go up & down to Broadstairs; Charlie will board at the International   The luckless Brian has whooping cough at D^r Spyers with the rest of the school!⁴

I am indeed pleased that you are satisfied with Bentham’s address;⁵ as, if I [outlive] him, I should like to bring out all his Addresses in a volume. We have elected A Gray a Foreign F.R.S. which he will I hope be pleased with.⁶

Were you not struck with Allmans work on the Hydroid Tubularias,—⁷ I proposed, & Huxley seconded him, for one of the Royal Medals, which I hope we shall carry—⁸ H. asked me to draw up the recommendation, which I dread doing: will you bless me by glancing at the enclosed.⁹ I really am no judge of his works, & have no one to help me   I must ask you to return it by return of post if you conveniently can.

So poor Lyell is off to Switzerland to see Heer—a very hazardous journey for one so feeble & helpless.— & without his wife!¹⁰ but I suppose that he wants excitement.

I am going to ask you to let me bring Genl Strachy to Down one Sunday when I return—¹¹ & take the chance of seeing you at lunch.

Ever yours affecte | Jos D Hooker