From Robert Brown 10 August 1840

My Dear Sir

I have unfortunately mislaid your Letter received 8 or 10 days ago & in my present hurry & confusion being on the point of leaving London for Southsea I can only reply to what I think I remember of its contents. What I can most distinctly recall relates to Mr Bauer respecting whose circumstances you must have misunderstood me, he has never been in affluence but neither has he been in straitened circumstances. He is now 83 or 4 years of age, extremely weak, subject to spasmodic asthma & quite incapable of continued attention & far less employing his pencil on those subjects which he has already so beautifully illustrated.

A Volume of his Drawings on the structure and diseases of wheat is in the Botanical Department of the British Museum & of course may be consulted either by yourself or Mr Pusey during my absence. You will find Mr Bennett whom I have apprised of the probability of your calling for that purpose. Mr Bauer has published in the Penny Magazine on Smut & Dustbrand & these papers also it might be worth Mr Pusey's while to consult.

Excuse this very hasty letter

& believe me

My Dear Sir

very truly Yours

Robt Brown