Royal Gardens, Kew.
Nov[ember] 19/[18]79.
Dearest Gracie I am so very glad that you like your school; and are getting on with your lessons etc. Charlie came home yesterday, but will not be here long; because he must now work, so as to support himself as a doctor. He has been helping his kind friend Mr Robinson, the Surgeon of Norwich. Charlie would like to have a practice in Norwich, because his name is well known there; his (and your) Grandpapa Hooker was born there, and his (and your) Great Grandpapa lived there. I remember living with your Great Grandpapa there, when I was three years old, and I remember his garden and house, and then I was so small, that when i was sent a message and came back, I could not reach the bell at the door, and I waited till a very tall Soldier came past and I asked him to ring for me, which he did. I remember too going into his pretty garden behind the house and seeing a little red beetle, a Bishop Barnaby, sitting on the paling and saying to it : "Bishop Bishop Barnybee[sic], "When will your marriage be; "If it be tomorrow day, "Take your wings and fly away"!
and I wondered very much why it did not fly away! I will give you 3d. a week whenever Miss Bird says you deserve it at the end of every week, as long as you are at school;

please ask Miss Bird with my compliments to let you have it, so you can buy some note paper. Give my kind compliments to your Cousins and Miss Bird and Miss Estoppy, and Believe me Your loving father | J.D. Hooker