To J. D. Hooker   [29 November 1845]¹

My dear Hooker

We are delighted that you will come.— I write now to tell you that the Croydon Railway per Sydenham is much the best way here. I believe coaches go only in the morning & late in evening to Bromley & then you have 6 & $\frac{1}{2}$ miles here in a Fly.— If Waterhouse does not come, my phaeton will hold three perfectly well with one on the Box.— Coming this way you will have the morning till 2^o. 20’ in London for business.— If Waterhouse comes, I intend sending a Fly as well as my phaeton; now do you oblige me & come in & say not a word about payment, because Waterhouse (between ourselves) is very poor & it w^d vex me exceedingly if he (or indeed anyone) had to pay hard cash for coming here, when I derive so infinitely more pleasure than any one else can have from coming here.

Now be you goodnatured & help me.—

In some respects, I sh^d. have enjoyed a visit from you yourself better than with others, but for several reasons (besides being heartily glad to see them) I was obliged to ask Falconer, & I had long wished to ask Forbes, but I doubted whether he w^d. like to come.

Ever yours | C. Darwin