I shall be curious to see Mme. Royer’s book; Darwin has spoken of her.
Under my hearty congratulations of Darwin for his striking contributions to teleology, there is a vein of petite malice, from my knowing well that he rejects the idea of design, while all the while he is bringing out the neatest illustrations of it!
Did time allow, I should like to write at large upon these enticing topics....
TO W. J. HOOKER.
Cambridge, March 16, 1863.
I received this morning a letter from William Short, announcing to me the death of his lamented father, our excellent friend, Dr. C. W. Short, of Louisville, Kentucky, one of our oldest botanists, and one of the best of men and kindest of friends. He died on the 7th inst., of a typhoid fever, supervening on a severe cold.
I feel the loss very much. Although we never met, he was one of my most valued friends....
He always remembered his former correspondence with you with great interest, and was particularly pleased when, in my letter, I could give him news of you.
His herbarium, upon which he bestowed great pains and considerable expense, is conditionally bequeathed to the Smithsonian Institution.
Our botanical Nestor is Dr. Darlington. A few months since I had a letter from him written in as firm a hand as ever; but now he is prostrated by paralysis, which, however, leaves his mind clear. But he cannot remain much longer with us. Short and Darlington were both hearty and true Christian gentlemen.