Bot[anic]. Garden, Cambridge, U.S.A. Sept. 28 /[18]77. Dearest Hyacinth, I have taken my passage by the Marathon, which sails on the 6th. at 8 a.m. from Boston and have secured a whole cabin to myself in the best part of the ship, so I may hope to get some of my work done on board if the weather is tolerable. I hope that by sailing so late I shall excape[sic] the Equinoctial gales. Sir D. Wedderburn*1 writes from Niagara asking me to let him know by letter to New York, when and how I should sail. I have answered, but not heard whether he will accompany me. Not having a return passage and having plenty of money, he may take one of the more expensive steamers from New York. Dr Gray*2 and I are working very hard at our collections here. Mrs Gray's little dog that they had had for 22 years died yesterday of old age, a great sorrow - it was a smooth black Terrier. The poor beast's joy at their return the other day was very pretty to see, and it survived it only three days. About your meeting me at Liverpool, I must leave it to you. I need not say how glad I shall be to see you, but it will no doubt depend on how you feel, weather and so forth. If I had the same passage as by Parthia, (and it should be shorter as the homeward passage always is) we should take 11 days, - but you will know when we arrive at Cork Harbour from whence our arrival will

be telegraphed to London. Willy*3 would find this out for you. They would know at the Office in Charing Cross; and if you then leave London, you would arrive in time at Liverpool. You might send me a line directed to the Cunard Co. Steamer Marathon, Cork Harbour, "to be sent on board on arrival". And a letter addressed to me on board at Liverpool, if sent to the Cunard Co's office, (D. and C. McIver and Co.) Watson Street, Liverpool, would no doubt be sent on board by the Pilot, or otherwise on our arriving at the mouth of the Mersey, and I should know whether you were at Liverpool or no. I wrote to you on the 24th from here and addressed Kew, as I did not know where you will be. I suppose you will go to the house before I return and if so this will probably reach you there. Ever, in the ardent hope of seeing you a week after this arrives, Your affectionate and devoted husband, | J.D.Hooker. I should go from the steamer at Liverpool straight to the railway.