324 



Such, however, is the rapid flight of time with me 

 at present, that some days have elapsed before I 

 could find an opportunity of performing my rash 

 vow. I shall now, however, hold him by the fore- 

 lock till my engagement is performed. 



I am sure I need not tell you that all our Liver- 

 pool friends who have seen Mrs. Martin are charmed 

 with her. How, indeed, should it be otherwise ? My 

 wife is delighted beyond measure, and I really be- 

 lieve will contrive to get her good opinion in return. 

 Surely no chemical affinity is stronger than that of 

 similar hearts ; distance itself forms no bar to it, 

 as I feel at this moment. 



The honour which you so kindly propose to con- 

 fer on me on the publication of your Exotic Botany 

 ought to give me unqualified pleasure ; — to see our 

 names united must always do so. Yet I cannot 

 help feeling as if the world were turned upside- 

 dow-n, and am sure that my name, instead of occu- 

 pying the top of the page, should be placed at the 

 bottom. I cannot, however, find in my heart to say 

 that if you can put a face upon it, I shall not be 

 highly gratified, and shall endeavour to hold up my 

 head as w r ell as I can during the remainder of my 

 days. 



Mr. Shepherd sent Lady Hume a few plants about 

 tw r o months ago. I have since heard from her, with 

 a specimen of the Humea, w T hich I think w r ell de- 

 serves the name of elegans, in reference both to the 

 plant and its patroness. You will, I am sure, rejoice 

 with me, when I tell you that Leo is now in the 

 latter part of the fourth volume, and will yet, I hope, 



