Describes plans for travel in Morocco with George Maw and John Ball.

Has not yet read Descent.

JDH informs his wife Frances Hooker, that he is on a steamer from Tangiers to Mogadore [Essaouira] & will send this letter by means of a passing vessel going in the opposite direction to Marseille. The boat they are on is good one but the sea is rough & he & his companion [George] Maw are suffering with sea sickness & lack of appetite but [John] Ball is unaffected. JDH send his regards to all at Pendock, & expresses an intention to write to the 'President of the Wanderers' there [Reverend William Samuel Symonds] if he can remember how to spell his surname. They lay off the coast near Rabat earlier in the day but were unable to communicate with the town. There is a Frenchman on board trying to cure his sea sickness by holding lemon-halves on his temples. Sir. J. Hay has informed them that everything is ready for their trip but JDH is anxious to get to Mogadore & make plans, he thinks the trip may take longer than previously predicted. Mr White the consul at Tangier was a pupil of JDH's Uncle, Reverend William Jacobson, at Oxford University & send his regards along with the gift of cup made from Fez earthenware. JDH has met with a Mr Cardwell, a nephew of the War Minister [Edward Cardwell], who is travelling aimlessly. JDH gives some instruction for Mr [John] Smith regarding care of bulbs. [Edward] Crump is a good man, also currently sea sick.

Answers CD’s questions.

Reception of Descent. Evolution accepted everywhere; descent of man accepted calmly.

Morocco plans.

Fears for Huxley, who is overworked.