From Emma Darwin to J. D. Hooker   15 February [1864]1

Down. | Bromley. | Kent. S.E.

Feb 15.

Dear Dr Hooker

Charles has heard from Mr Scott who is very much gratified at the offer of becoming an assoc. of the Linn. Soc.2   Ch. wd be much obliged if you would tell Mr Bentham this.3 He does not know what are the necessary steps & who wd propose him.4 He wd gladly do so himself but he thinks it wd be better for you to do it as Mr Scott is such a staunch disciple of his. Charles is very much pleased at this honour being conferred on him. He has not been so well for a week or more but he has several things to write to you about & will write as soon as he can.

A fortnight ago I felt as if he was really making a good step but he has fallen back since & has not had 2 good days together since that time.5

With love to Mrs Hooker6 I am yours very sincerely | E. Darwin

1
The year is established by the relationship between this letter and the letter from John Scott, 12 [February 1864].
3
George Bentham was the president of the Linnean Society.
5
From 30 January to 2 February 1864, Emma Darwin’s diary (DAR 242) recorded good days and several trips to the hot house each day for CD; according to her reports, his health grew worse during the following two weeks. See also letter to J. D. Hooker, [27 January 1864] and n. 4.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-4406,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-4406