Transcript
KEW.
May 7/[18]73.
Dear Lady Jardine
Very many thanks for the Sesleria which arrived all safe, as did the Primula, and all are planted and snug.
The pretty plant you send is Libonia floribunda; we have lots of it -- but as it is now past flower I shall not send it till we have other things to go with it. The Bignonia I do not know -- may it not be a Cestrum? You had better see when you come up. We could give you both a yellow and a deep red-purple one.
I never saw Holkar.
You ask why some people get so much and others nought -- I answer because they deserve it in the eyes of Providence, or they would not get it, and so I leave you to fight it out with that Lady.
I admire the English Lakes more than the Scotch on the whole, but if forced to choose one, I should take the Scotch; and Loch Awe of them.
I called for Sir C. Lyell*1 today, but they were all out. My brother-in-law*2 is in a very critical state indeed. Fanny was there all last night. It is impossible to say how long he may last; but recovery seems hopeless.
Ever very sincerely yours, | Jos.D.Hooker.
The Gualtherias etc came in capital order.
KEW.
May 7/[18]73.
Dear Lady Jardine
Very many thanks for the Sesleria which arrived all safe, as did the Primula, and all are planted and snug.
The pretty plant you send is Libonia floribunda; we have lots of it -- but as it is now past flower I shall not send it till we have other things to go with it. The Bignonia I do not know -- may it not be a Cestrum? You had better see when you come up. We could give you both a yellow and a deep red-purple one.
I never saw Holkar.
You ask why some people get so much and others nought -- I answer because they deserve it in the eyes of Providence, or they would not get it, and so I leave you to fight it out with that Lady.
I admire the English Lakes more than the Scotch on the whole, but if forced to choose one, I should take the Scotch; and Loch Awe of them.
I called for Sir C. Lyell*1 today, but they were all out. My brother-in-law*2 is in a very critical state indeed. Fanny was there all last night. It is impossible to say how long he may last; but recovery seems hopeless.
Ever very sincerely yours, | Jos.D.Hooker.
The Gualtherias etc came in capital order.
1. Sir Charles Lyell (1797 -- 1875) was a Scottish geologist who demonstrated the power of known natural causes in explaining the earth's history. He is best known as the author of the book Principles of Geology (1830 -- 33). His wife, Mary, had just died.
2. George Henslow (1835 -- 1925) recovered and later became the Royal Horticultural Society's Professor of Botany.
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