My dear Hooker

I write solely for the sake of congratulating myself, for I have at last finished correcting M.S. of Insectivorous Plants & recorrecting Climbing Plants.² This has taken me exactly 3 months! Mere correction! It has been an awful grind, & has almost done me up. It is lucky for authors in general that they do not require such dreadful work, in merely licking what they write into shape. Ill-luck to it my M.S. makes a very big bundle, which I take up tomorrow to Murray & then for the tiresome job of correcting the press.³ I have, also, to congratulate myself that M^r. Ouliss finished my picture yesterday & means to send it to the Academy.⁴ I look a very venerable, acute melancholy old dog,— whether I really look so I do not know.— We go to 6. Queen Anne St. tomorrow & shall be there for about 6 days, & then perhaps shall go for few days to Henrietta at 2 Bryanston St.—⁵ I fear there is no chance of your being in London, & wanting Luncheon; but if the fates are propitious do come. I see by your last note that you will be off on the 15^th & I am very very glad of it.⁶ Now do not travel too quickly or exert yourself in any way too much; try & get some rest. I sh^d. think the private note from Disraeli must make Dyer’s appointment certain.—⁷ I hope that “Primer” makes some progress.—⁸

Farewell | dear old friend | Yours affect. | Ch. Darwin