My dear Hooker

I write merely to say that the M.S came safely two or three days ago.—² I am much obliged for the corrections of style:³ I find it unutterably difficult to write clearly. When we meet I must talk over a few points on the subject.—

You speak of going to sea-side somewhere: we think this the nicest sea-side place, which we have ever seen & we like Shanklin better than other spots on S. coast of the Island, though many are charming & prettier, so that I could suggest your thinking of this place. We are on the actual coast: but tastes differ so much about places.—

If you go to Broadstairs, when there is strong wind from coast of France & fine dry warm weather, look out & you will probably(!) see thistleseeds blown across the channel. The other day, I saw one blown right inland, & then in a few minute a second & then a third; so I said to myself God bless me how many thistles there must be in France; & I wrote a letter in imagination to you.— But I then looked at low clouds & noticed that they were not coming inland, so I feared a screw was loose, I then walked beyond a headland & found the wind parallel to coast, & on this very headland a noble bed of thistles, which by very wide eddy were blown far out to sea & then came right in at right angle to shore! One day such a number of insects were washed up by tide, & I brought to life 13 species of Coleoptera; not that I suppose these came from France.—⁴ But do you watch for thistle seed, as you saunter along the coast.—

What a dreadful case that of M^rs. Forbes.—⁵ I did not like what little I saw of her; but never said a word, so I was amused & I confess rather pleased at your outburst of “cold, unsympathetic &c”.—

Farewell | My dear Hooker | C. Darwin