^T. 52.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 499 



best of men and kindest of friends. He died on the 

 7th inst., of a typhoid fever, supervening on a severe 

 cold. 



I feel the loss very much. Although we never met, 

 he was one of my most valued friends. . . . 



He always remembered his former correspondence 

 with you with great interest, and was particularly 

 pleased when, in my letter, I could give him news of 

 you. 



His herbarium, upon which he bestowed great pains 

 and considerable expense, is conditionally bequeathed 

 to the Smithsonian Institution. 



Our botanical Nestor is Dr. Darlington. A few 

 months since I had a letter from him written in as firm 

 a hand as ever ; but now he is prostrated by paralysis, 

 which, however, leaves his mind clear. But he cannot 

 remain much longer with us. Short and Darlington 

 were both hearty and true Christian gentlemen. 



April 28, 1863. 



Your kind letter of the 6th inst. and the photograph 

 were received with more gratification than I can well 

 express. Both your handwriting and your carte de 

 visite show you to be well and strong, and, please God, 

 long may you so continue. 



Your face looks fuller than a dozen years ago, and 

 a bit older, it may be, but it recalls your friendly 

 and kindly expression, and is the best substitute I 

 can have for not seeing you again. 



What I wrote of our Nestor, Dr. Darlington, as 

 about to be removed from us, has come to pass. 

 The good old man died, after much suffering from a 

 paralysis, on Wednesday last, the 22d, as a newspaper 

 slip has apprised me. He had reached the age of 



