KEW.
January 11th, /[18]73.
Dear Lady Jardine Many thanks, first for your pleasant letter, -- pleasant in all respects but for the indisposition of which you complain, and for the poor account you give of Sir William. Then for the Kumquat and Lumquat which are I suspect the same thing, though not less welcome on that account. We have selected a nice pitcher plant for you, but if you will take my advice you will let us keep it till spring for you; this is so dangerous a season at which to send plants to a distance - if however Sir W. would prefer it now, you have only to say so. We are all well, and have a dinner party tonight to eat a Swan -- and a music party next week; and a dance the week after, or the one after that -- 29th. How I wish you were to be here to put me through my steps so kindly as you used. By the way, Miss Grote is to be, or is, married to a Lieut[enant] or Capt[ain] Lewin, said to be a very nice person. We spent last Friday till Monday at the Cardwells'*1. Mrs C. is a very old friend of mine, we learnt dancing together at Glasgow in the last century! Mr C. has been most kind throughout my trouble with Ayrton. With united affectionate regards, Ever most truly yours, | Jos.D.Hooker.