MT. 31.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 289 



York, where I wish to collect roots and seeds as ex- 

 tensively as may be. I will soon make out a list of 

 some things I would like Knieskern to get for me in 

 the pine barrens. 



Tell E., also, that I must write her about a learned 

 lady in these parts, who assists her husband in his 

 school, and who hears the boys' recitations in Greek 

 and geometry at the ironing-board, while she is 

 smoothing their shirts and jackets ! reads German 

 authors while she is stirring her pudding, and has a 

 Hebrew book before her, when knitting [? netting 

 A. G.]. There 's nothing like down East for learned 

 women. Why, even the factory-girls at Lowell edit 

 entirely a magazine, which an excellent judge told me 

 has many better-written articles than the " North 

 American Review." Some of them, having fitted their 

 brothers for college at home, come to Lowell to earn 

 money enough to send them through ! ! Vivent les 

 femmes. There will be no use for men in this region, 

 presently. Even my own occupation may soon be gone ; 

 for I am told that Mrs. Ripley (the learned lady afore- 

 said) is the best botanist of the country round. But 

 the mail is about to close; this nasty steel pen re- 

 fuses to write ; dinner is ready, and so with love to 

 all, I subscribe myself, 



Yours most affectionately, A. GRAY. 



TO W. J. HOOKER. 



CAMBRIDGE, 30th July, 1842. 



MY DEAR SIR WILLIAM, It is indeed a long 

 time since I have heard from you ; although, indeed, 

 I can well suppose that, in your new situation, 1 you are 

 too much occupied to write frequently to your friends 



1 Director of Kew Gardens. 



