To George Knights 2 October 1854

My dear Sir,

I was truly vexed to find the lithogc. stones were wanted before I had an opportunity of showing this & giving directions to have them forwarded. Pray explain to the parties how it has happened. If you had been able to come over all would have been right - or if you had only told me they were to be immediately returned I would have left directions accordingly - but I went off in such a hurry it never occurred to me. I have been busy all the morning in packing up & off sundry articles for a show at Thornham on Wednesday where I am going for 3 nights to assist. I propose, however, to get over to Ipswich on Thursday (& back to Thornham) that I may have a look into the Museum & talk over matters. I can't exactly understand how our notices interfere with profits! Surely they are like other unpaid for Correspondence. If they ever interfere with the space required for advertisements they might be easily deferred to another or another week but I will discuss this when we meet. I have picked up some materials for the Museum in my travels - & we have organised a typical series Committee. I got back on Saturday night, all the better for my holiday - though the last days were rather hard work. On Thursday I went down a Salt Mine at Northwich & got upset in an omnibus & well squeezed in a crowd - back to Warrington to see the Museum, into London 11 1/2 P.M. Off next morning soon after 8 for Tunbridge Wells to visit the manufactory of T. W. Ware - back to Kew at night. I will send the bowls home as quick as I can. I trust the stones have arrived safe at last

excuse haste -

Ever yrs truly

J. S. Henslow

P.S. Be so good as to make out my a/c with you pro & con before I arrive. I quite forgot it when last at Ipswich. The parties of whom you ordered the cards in London sent a packet filled up with letter press unsuitable to use & I have asked Webb to get them changed if he can for others where there is a border.