x1. 70.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 717 
TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 
Venice, May 1, 1881, Sunday. 
As we propose to leave Venice to-morrow, I think I 
may say that within ten days you may look to see us 
in Geneva. The Hookers, with whom we have jour- 
neyed thus far, will proceed more directly home, after 
a day or two at the Italian lakes. We propose to fol- 
low more leisurely, and, if the road is fairly practica- 
ble, to cross the Simplon, and so to Geneva, where, 
according to your suggestion, we will go to the Hotel 
des Bergues. . . 
We have now bie two months in travel, without 
respite, and for my part I am fairly sated. I need 
the change and rest which a week of botanical re- 
search in your herbarium, and of intercourse with its 
owner, will afford me. 
We have been as far south as Amalfi and Pestum. 
We have attended to the proper sight-seeing of Naples, 
Rome, Florence, and Venice, and have gained novelty 
by seeing also Orvieto, Cortona, and Siena, likewise 
Ravenna. We have escaped a disagreeable spring in 
England, but at the expense of hoing everywhere at 
least a fortnight too early for the various parts of 
Italy ; and I suppose we shall be all the more sensible 
of this at the lakes and in crossing the Alps. But the 
weather has never been unfavorable, and we have en- 
joyed much and worked hard. A week near you in 
comparative rest will make an agreeable finale. Our 
companions have added much to the enjoyment, and 
we are sorry to part with them. They would, I know, 
send their best regards and remembrances, but at this 
moment they are both out; but Mrs. Gray, who is 
writing by my side, desires me to add her own to 
