Green St
October 21st
Dear Henry
I was very sorry not to get a peep of you before you took flight, but I hope you have only departed like the swallows to visit us again in the spring, Many thanks for taking charge of my parcel from Dr Hooker, <1> were you in the secret of its contents, & can you advise me how, where, & after what fashion to acknowledge its arrival into my possession? I am puzzled to know whether he intended it there to remain, or to be returned after being inspected You will easily understand the awkwardness I feel, under the fear of either appropriating what may not be intended to be kept, or returning what may be very kindly meant for my acceptance The book is the 1st vol. of Drummonds musci Scotici <2> containing beautiful specimens, with their localities &c There was no note from Dr Hooker or any notice beyond the direction you saw now as I do not like to remain long without acknowledging, this very polite attention on his part, whichever way it is to be taken, will you have the kindness to write me a few lines in answer to this & direct under cover to Lord I. at Melbury <3> where I shall soon be Henry <4> was married yesterday, I think he has chosen a very nice little wife, & tho they must contrive to be happy without riches, I trust they will prove so & believe it too I wish we could hear something of John Strangways <5>
Yrs very sincerely
A M Murray
Henry Talbot Esqr
Poste restante
Paris
Notes:
1. Sir William Jackson Hooker (17851865), Prof & botanist.
2. Thomas Drummond (1793-1835), Scottish botanical collector; died in Cuba in early March 1835. He issued the 2 volume Exsiccata (specimens with printed labels) of Musci Scotici in 18241825.
3. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (17871858). Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there.
4. Henry Murray (18001831), youngest son of Lord George Murray and a brother-in-law of the 3rd Earl of Ilchester. [See Doc. No: 01513].
5. John George Charles Fox Strangways (18031859), MP.