THE CAMP, Sunningdale. July 10, 1888 My dear Little Lion I am very much interested in what you tell me of the big trees at Pendock. The Elm must have grown very fast to have been so big as 23 feet in girth in 145 years; for, as only one ring of wood is formed every year, the tree must be 145 years old. Hence it was a seedling in Queen Anne's reign ! did you think of that ? I think I remember a very large one being blown down near the river at Kew which was about 30 feet round, and was supposed to have been a seed in Queen Elizabeth's reign. There are two kinds of Elms in England; one is the common Elm which is I suppose the one you describe; the other is the Scotch, or Wych Elm, with more spreading branches and much broader leaves. An Oak 23 feet round is a very fine tree and probably much older than the Elm. Some Oaks are said to be more than 800 years old, but this is not very likely. I am glad that you have got some eggs and have found their names. Charlie has a large collection of birds' eggs that he found himself when he was about your age or a little older. I have just had a letter from Mrs Gray, who says "Tell Joey I have not forgotten about the stamps, and will write to him very soon and send some I have got together.'

A stray dog came here today, a Fox terrier with Linwood on his collar, so I suppose it belongs to Mr Thomson, and have sent Clacey there with it. The rain has ceased, but it is very cold. Mrs Gray says that there are vast fields of ice in the Atlantic, off the American coast; and they have had torrents of rain all spring. I dare say that we shall hear more of the ice and I will let you know if I see anything in the newspaper about it. Our strawberries are very big but have hardly any taste. Do not forget to tell me about the Pear trees at Pendock. I am glad you are riding. You should practise without stirrups, both to trot and to canter. This is the way I was taught; you must hold on with your knees, and turn your toes in, not out. It will tire you at first, but you must not mind that. With love to Grandmamma, Ever your affectionate father and Lion, JOS.D.HOOKER.