724 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1881, 
delicious week, with De Candolle and other friends 
to enjoy, and a little botany to attend to in the her- 
barium. And then in one day we went to Paris, and 
stayed three weeks, while Mrs. Gray did her feminine 
matters, and I a deal of botany work, and both a little 
sight-seeing. Thence, sending our luggage before to 
London, we swung off for Soissons and the old castle 
of Couey, and Reims, and Tréves, and down the Mo- 
selle to Coblentz, and the Rhine (that is, by rail) to 
Cologne, to enjoy the finished cathedral; thence to 
Aix la Chapelle, to Bruxelles, and then, with a fine 
day and smooth water, over to England; and here at 
Kew we have been settled ever since, engaging in a 
deal of botanical work and a deal of society in a 
most agreeable way, and a little (thus far only a lit- 
tle) sight-seeing. As we come towards the end, we 
grow busier every day, and count the time closer. 
For we expect to return in October, to reach home 
(Deo favente) either at the end of that month or be- 
fore the middle of November; the day and vessel not 
yet quite fixed. ... 
There are lots of things to write about, but the 
sheet is full, and I must only say I am 
Yours affectionately, Asa GRaY. 
TO R. W. CHURCH. 
Ricumonp Hovuss, Kew. 
. . . It is really serious, this leaving England, and 
choice friends in it, when one considers that, whatever 
I may fondly say, I cannot expect to see it again, — 
I do not say them. 
Affectionately yours, Asa Gray. 
