To Thomas Martin 17 May 1858

My dear Sir,

For the last 3 or 4 years I have had a Curate, & have not found it necessary to return home for Sunday duty as I used to do when lecturing here – Your letter has therefore been a little round & I find it on my return at 9.0. clk from a botanical excursion (rather a rainy one) with 25 of my class who accompanied me to Gamlingay 15 miles from Camb. We have had an agreeable day spite of the rain – Your Club are quite mistaken in supposing the diagrams are intended exclusively for Lectures – They are expressly adapted for Students– tho’ serviceable also in the lecture room – I send you a notice I circulated in the Colleges, & I find they have been procured by some of them, expressly for the use of the students – I know the Master of St Peters has procured one set to be hung up for the students of that College, & another set for his own study, & he assures me he finds them of great service – The Tutor of Trinity (Mr Mathison) has done the same in procuring one set for access by students & another for his own use – & I know other cases. The matter printed on the sides of the diagrams would be of no use in a Lecture room, but is intended for private inspection & study. Whoever will master this, will find himself in possession of the more important terms & their application, & be able to proceed merrily afterwards.

Believe me

very truly yours

J. S. Henslow