Written from The Camp, Sunningdale. Manuscript, headed 'Copy'
He thanks him for Alwin Berger's 'Sukkulente Euphorbien', which is excellent in matter, style and illustration; he has received Eduard Strasburger's 'Rambles on the Riviera' through his kindness, and has read the first hundred pages with 'extraordinary interest and pleasure'; it is fascinating and full of information that is new to him, especially 'on the classical side'; he remarks how accomplished Strasburger is, and that no other living botanist could elucidate the 'almost prehistoric history of useful and ornamental plants'; he comments on the wonderful tributes to the scientific minds and garden labour of Hanbury and his dear late brother [Daniel Hanbury]; the early histories of sugar and sugar cane and of the orange tribe are very instructive; Strasburger's style is quite exciting, and it is hard to put the book down; Strasburger paid him a visit two months ago; Hooker has long been tempted to visit La Mortola [Italy] but never so much as now; his health is not what it was, he is very deaf and eczema is a worry, though a bearable one; Lady Hooker sends her kindest regards to him and Lady Hanbury