788 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1886, 
brave out the winter here, as we did last winter and 
are none the worse; then we will seriously consider 
whether Mahomet shall go to the mountain, which will 
not come to Mahomet. 
I grind away at “ Flora,” but, like the mills of the 
gods, I grind slowly, as becomes my age, — moreover, 
to continue the likeness, I grind too “exceedingly 
fine,” being too finical for speed, pottering over so 
many things that need looking into, and which I have 
not the discretion to let alone. Consequently the 
grist of each day’s work is pitiably small in proportion 
to the labor expended on it. I am now at Malvacez, 
which I once enjoyed setting to rights, and of which 
the North American species have got badly muddled 
since I had to do with them. 
If Sereno Watson — who should be back again in, 
twenty days— will only go on with the Crucifere, 
which he has meddled with adeal, and then do the 
Caryophyllacee, which are in like case, we may by 
March ist have all done up to the Leguminose. 
We learn to-day, through a pamphlet sent by Miss 
Horner, that Bunbury is dead — in June last. . . . 
Your “ Primer ” — new edition — has not come yet. 
Do not forget it. And then, as my manner is, I will 
see if Ican find fault with it. Same with Bentham’s 
** Hand-book,” new edition. . . . 
I do not wonder that you are happy and contented. 
We should so like to see father, mother, and children 
in their encampment at Sunningdale. May plenty of 
sunshine be theirs ! 
Ball has sent me early sheets of his book. I must 
find time to go through its pages. 
The L.’s abroad, except the two girls (who are to 
winter at San Remo) are now en voyage homeward. 
