Rs ~<a» We a ae ae 
£T. 31.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 289 
York, where I wish to collect roots and seeds as ex- 
tensively as may be. I will soon make out a list of 
some things I would like Knieskern to get for me in 
the pine barrens. 
Tell E., also, that I must write her about a learned 
lady in these parts, who assists her husband in his 
school, and who hears the boys’ recitations in Greek 
and geometry at the ironing-board, while she is 
smoothing their shirts and ashen! ! reads German 
authors while she is stirring her pudding, and has a 
Hebrew book before her, when knitting [? netting — 
A. G.]. There’s nothing like down East for learned 
women. Why, even the factory-girls at Lowell edit 
entirely a magazine, which an excellent judge told me 
has many better-written articles than the “ North 
American Review.” Some of them, having fitted their 
brothers for college at home, come to Lowell to earn 
money enough to send them through!! Vivent les 
femmes. There will be no use for men in this region, 
presently. Even my own occupation may soon be gone ; 
for I am told that Mrs. Ripley (the learned lady afore- 
said) is the best botanist of the country round. But 
the mail is about to close; this nasty steel pen re- 
fuses to write; dinner is ready, and so with love to 
all, I subscribe myself, 
Yours most affectionately, A. Gray. 
TO W. J. HOOKER. 
CAMBRIDGE, 30th July, 1842. 
My pear Str Wiriiam, — It is indeed a long 
time since I have heard from you; although, indeed, 
I can well suppose that, in your new situation,’ you are 
too much occupied to write frequently to your friends 
1 Director of Kew Gardens. 
