April [part of date illeg.] 4
THE CAMP,*1 SUNNINGDALE.
My dear Darwin*2
I have hunted through Jowett & (and) Meteyard*3 for any notice of the Nelumbium pattern
-- in vain:-- which is curious, as it is certainly noteworthy for its direct reference to the "Botanic Garden,"*4 -- & (and) is one of the most striking passages of that work (if I remember aright.)
I cannot guess who designed it, but I see no reason to doubt the current view, that it was in compliment to old Erasmus, & (and) had reference to some marriage in the family. Curiously enough Mrs Horan was here on Friday

& (and) seeing a plate on the wall, at once recognised it as having been made in reference to some family wedding. I did not take much notice of what she said, as I had not received your note.
The pattern includes all three kinds of Waterlily mentioned in the "Bot[anic] Garden," with their several leaves flower & (and) fruit. It might be worth while to accompany the exhibited pieces with a copy of the passage in the "Bot[anic] Garden" that has reference to the pattern.
I commiserate with you on your having to lend -- for I do not see how you can safeguard against accidents -- The then superb

cases of Antarctic Birds that I lent to the Naval exhibition were returned not only smashed -- all of them -- but some of the Birds had to be re--set--up! They paid for the damage -- a goodly sum to the man in Piccadilly.
I do hope you will come here before you leave London, if only for the day, & (and) bring Mrs D[arwin]. A train from Waterloo at 11 -- Vauxall 11.5, arrives at Sunningdale at 12.8 & (and) we will send the pony chaise for you. Friday we are sure to be at home, except next Friday -- for we go to Norfolk; on Wednesday for a few days.
Shall I send you a copy of the passage in the Bot[anic] Garden? No doubt "Erasmus" was consulted if he did not originate the pattern -- I

know that Josiah consulted Erasmus as to his Etruscan & (and) Egyptian patterns .
Ever affe[ctionatel]y yours | Jos D Hooker [signature]
P.S. I find in Chalmer's Biograph[ica]l Dict[ionary]*5 that Erasmus married his 2nd wife in 1781 & (and) that the "Bot[anic] Garden" was published in the same year -- So it is very possible that the service was a wedding present, & (and) if so a very appropriate one. This, if a tenable hypothesis, fixes its date of manufacture.