To John Lindley 16 January 1846

My dear Lindley,

I send you a sequel to what you had before. I had it in my pen to refer to a hasty remark I made in one of my letters - as I felt after it was gone it might have an ungracious & perhaps canting appearance to you. But you rather startled me by an expression of my "good works" to which I felt I had no claim. I feel very deeply indebted to you for the kind manner in which you assisted in repelling the very false imputation laid upon me last year by a reporter in the Times. It was very friendly of you & I am not insensible to good report - but I fear it at least as much as bad report, when not merited. So pray do not suppose that I wanted to be snappish, though I confess the manner in which I expressed myself may have had that appearance. I hope you understand me, indeed I am sure you do - so I will say no more. If you disagree with me in any of the principles I endeavour to enforce do not hesitate to do so - & I will always try to see where I am wrong.

Ever sincerely Yrs

J. S. Henslow