zt. 70.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 707 
TO J. D. HOOKER. 
Horet Sr. Romar, Paris, November 14, 1880. 
Here we are back at Paris (since twenty hours), 
and, this being Sunday, having discharged my reli- 
gious duty and ventilated my patriotism by going in 
the morning to the American Chapel I am going to 
discharge upon you a missive which may be of some 
size, — is sure to be so if I openall my mind. Whence 
did I write you last? Malaga, I fancy, where I re- 
ceived a letter from you ... which tells us of the 
conflagration of Charlie’s dog and cat, and the narrow 
escape of the owner, of horrid weather, while we have 
had only one rainy day, and that no great impediment 
(though I did have to examine the Botanic Garden 
at Valencia under an umbrella and in india-rub- 
bers)... . 
A good day was occupied in going to Cordova, and 
the next morning did the Mosque-Cathedral, which I 
expected to be disappointing, yet it was not. After- 
noon began the long journey which there was no 
escaping, northeast to Valencia: a dull place made 
duller by rain. Next afternoon to Tarragona, and a 
most charming day in that interesting old town and 
its environs, the evening taking us on to Barcelona, of 
less interest. The next day’s travel, long and delight- 
ful, was all by daylight, except the last hour. It took 
us along either beautiful or picturesque country, much 
of the way with the Mediterranean on one side and 
the Pyrenees on the other, out of Spain and as far as 
Narbonne. A day’s excursion was given to Carcas- 
sonne ; perfect, and stranded on the shore of time, an 
excellent example of a Middle Age fortified city, 
cathedral and all; Visigoth walls and towers on 
