Ch. XL] 1858—1859. 193 



C. D. to J. D. Hooker. Norfolk House, Shanklin, Isle of 

 Wight. [August 1858.] 



My dear Hooker, — I write merely to say that the MS. 

 came safely two or three days ago. I am much obliged for 

 the correction of style : I find it unutterably difficult to write 

 clearly. When we meet I must talk over a few points on the 

 subject. 



You speak of going to the sea-side somewhere; we think 

 this the nicest sea-side place which we have ever seen, and wo 

 like Shanklin better than other spots on the south coast of tho 

 island, though many are charming and prettier, so that I 

 would suggest your thinking of this place. We are on tho 

 actual coast ; but tastes differ so much about places. 



If you go to Broadstairs, when there is a strong wind from 

 the coast of France and in fine, dry, warm weather, look out 

 and you will probably (!) see thistle-seeds blown across the 

 Channel. The other day I saw one blown right inland, and 

 then in a few minutes a second one and then a third ; and I 

 said to myself, God bless mo, how many thistles there must be 

 in France ; and I wrote a letter in imagination to you. But I 

 then looked at the low clouds, and noticed that they were not 

 coming inland, so I feared a screw was loose, I then walked 

 beyond a headland and found the wind parallel to the coast, 

 and on this very headland a noble bed of thistles, which by 

 every wide eddy were blown far out to sea, and then came 

 right in at right angles to the shore ! One day such a number 

 of insects were washed up by the tide, and I brought to life 

 thirteen species of Coleoptera ; not that I suppose these came 

 from France. But do you watch for thistle-seed as you saunter 

 along the coast. . . . 



a D. to J. D. Hooker. [Down] Oct. 6th, 1858. 



... If you have or can make leisure, I should very much 

 like to hear news of Mrs. Hooker, yourself, and the children. 

 Where did you go, and what did you do and are doing ? There 

 is a comprehensive text. 



You cannot tell how I enjoyed your little visit here. It 

 did me much good. If Harvey* is still with you, pray 

 remember me very kindly to him. 



... I am working most steadily at my Abstract [Origin of 

 Species], but it grows to an inordinate length; yet fully to 



* W. H. Harvey, born 1811, died 1866: a well-known botanist. 



o 



