From E. A. Darwin   [29 September 1826]

My Dear Bobby,

From shere want of employment I write to tell you my plans about lectures¹ which I have fixed much to my own satisfaction. Luckily I have none very early, D^r Chambers² on Practice of Physick from nine to ten alternate days: as much time as I like in the dissecting rooms till one. From 1 to 2 demonstrations by Cæsar Hawkins³ & from 2 to 3 M^r Bell⁴ on Anatomy &c. In the evening on alternate days M^r Brodie⁵ on Surgery This gives me two hours one day & four the next which I think I shall be able to go through with.

I am ashamed to say that I have already given up my thoughts of graduating next spring, but it is by D^r Hollands⁶ opinion who is just at present my oracle.

I find that John Bull & the Age⁷ are published the same day & hold precisely the same opinions only that y^e Age is ten times the most scurrilous of the two & I have therefore taken in that alone. Do you approve?

As soon as you get to Edinburgh if it does not prove too troublesome I’ll match the London climate against yours and see which has most drizzle. To make a fair estimate we’ll consider a London fog equivalent to a Scotch mist.

Liston⁸ has of course been very popular amongst you rustics. I was at the Hay-market on Tuesday & heard several exclamations at the thinness of the house in consequence of his departure. I was reminded of you also by a s⁠⟨⁠nu⁠⟩⁠ffy old gentleman who in the most interesting part of the play unfortunately dropt all his snuff and was obliged to leave instantly.

Tell Hubbersty I delivered his parcel and also ask Price if he knows Fred. H— —’s address as I should be glad to have it and tell him to write to me if he is a Christian I have sold my insects for two thirds & am to have some of Smiths Botany⁹ in exchange— I yesterday saw a cryptogamic work but instead of engravings the actual dried plants. They were as dear and very much inferiour to engravings in my humble opinion

Good Bye. | E. D.