
          quarters to tell him that should he at any time
 visit this island I should most happy to shew
 him any attetnion in my power and if he would only
 give me timely notice I would manage to be in Ryde
 to receive him, a necessary proviso at this season
 I am almost constantly absent from home working
 out by personal observation the floras of the county
 of Hants and the Isle of Wight of which more anon.
 I was previously disappointed that you were with
 the bearer of your own gifts, having understood that
 you were likely to visit England. This year, and 
 hence I [?] with no small pleasure to the probability
 of having you for my guest at Eastmount. I fear 
 you have given up your intention of crossing the Atlantic
 this year as you say nothing about such a scheme
 in your letter, and should you do so, I fear you will
 arrive too late for me to enjoy the gratification of seeing 
 you in Old England, as I sail for the East in
 August and intend remaining abroad till the
 end of May or middle of June 1851. I am keeping a
 bright look out however for your amicable and
 learned colleague Dr. Asa Gray who ought to from
 what you say to be arriving in this country if
 he sailed about the 5th [inst?], but I have had no
 tidings of his advent as yet, though I write lately
 to Sir Wm Hooker [Sir William Hooker] begging him to apprize Dr
 Gray of my wish that he should pay me a visit
 at Ryde which I do not despair of his doing before
 the time of my own departure arrives.

 Will you be kind enough since I dare say many opportunites
 will offer themselves of doing so to convey to our worthy friend
 Mr J. Carey my extreme regrets at not responding to his kind
 letter received (I speak it with shame) 15 months ago and the 
        