
          Wednesday noon. 


 My Dear Friend, 


 I sat down to write you this 
 morning, but a call from D. Beck of Philada [Philadelphia]
 to see the Microscope has taken me away till 
 too late for the mail to day. 
 Still I must write hastily, tho. my 
 wrist is stiff with labelling plants, which has been 
 my occupation for some time past. I am obliged 
 now pretty much to knock off from Flora till March, 
 tho. I much want to touch over & finish Vaccinium
 first. But the lectures must now be worked at. 
 Sprague will begin early next month.


 I suppose you got a letter from [William Jackson] Hooker by last 
 steamer, apprising you of his father's death (which 
 I saw also in the papers. aged 92!) and also 
 asking your interest in behalf of his son [Joseph Dalton Hooker] for the chair 
 vacated by the death of Dr. Graham. Balfour
 his competitor also solicits my testimonial, but 
 I am pledged for Joe. Balfour states that my 
 B.T. [botanical Text-book] is one of the books his students use. Perhaps if 
 he is elected at Edinboro [Edinborough], they will use more!


 My hand is too tired (I have this morning also 
 written a letter 6 1/2 pages to Carey, in answer to one of 
 the same length just received from him. He will come 
 here, I think, if his physician thinks him able. He will 
 resume Botany & the formation of an herb. [herbarium], speaks very 
 gratefully of your call and offer, to get out of
        