To J. B. Innes   23 August [1880]¹

My dear Innes

The discovery of Barnacles on the rocks on the mountains of Scotland w^d have been an extraordinary & very interesting one, but I am sorry to say that the objects sent are not barnacles but very hard Lichens.² I do not remember to have seen any of the same kind, but I have never studied lichens, & they are very perplexing bodies.— We returned on Saturday from Cambridge, where we staid a week with Horace & his charming little wife;³ & we enjoyed ourselves much, admiring the grandeur of Kings Coll. Chapel & the other old scenes of my early life.—

My wife has not seen poor M^rs Hoole, since her return; but I daresay you have had late news of her, as M^r Hoole was telling us what a comfort to him your letters were, & that he often wrote to you.—⁴

We have just had a curious scene on our lawn, viz 67 half-reformed criminals & vagabond boys who have come down here for a holiday, & to each of whom I gave sixpence.⁵ Some of them had very good faces & some as atrociously bad faces.

Did you see in papers an account of a burglary at High-Elms;⁶ it was a bad one, as the burglars tried to force their way into the Butler’s pantry; he being within with no arms.— I wish I had got your rockets for this house—⁷

Ever yours very truly | Ch. Darwin