To William Whewell 24 December 1853

My dear Whewell,

I hear from Stratton that he has not seen the objections to his scheme made in Sir W. H's letter - & that Mr Turner has been applied to by the Syndicate. If you have no objection I should like Stratton to see Sir W. H's letter as it may be of service to himself to see the objections, if nothing further should result - but I do hope the Syndicate will allow him an interview with Sir W. & Mr Smith who have both been expecting to talk the matter over with him & whose long experience may be of great use to him. He has given much thought & pains to the subject & though he may be wrong on some points (& those of importance) I think he would feel encouraged by being heard, if not heeded. I suspect, if he has understated the cost on one hand, Sir W. has greatly overrated it on the other. The extravagances & high charges of those who sometimes execute government works is perfectly astounding. I have been talking the matter over with Dr H. who has poured a few cautions into my ear which it may not be amiss to listen to, though I know not how to express them on paper lest they should be misunderstood. I really think the Syndicate could do better than to allow Stratton to be consulted & cross-examined, & deputed to watch proceedings after having received advice, & his cue from Kew. The Doctors advise me to take a little relaxation - so I have been to see Darwin for the first time since his sojourn in Kent. I there met Fanny & my grandson - the former all the better for her trip - the latter in full health & vigour. I have taken London advice, & am told my chest pains are neuralgic, & entirely due to overexertions, & without any ugly organic symptoms. I must in consequence take a few irons out of the fire - go to bed earlier, & attend to all the &c. I sincerely hope & trust you can give us a better report of Mrs Whewell than your last. Pray give our kindest regards to her & say how concerned we have been to hear of her illness. Leonard takes I trust his degree this Xmas & George has just come home highly in favour at Bury, where he has been head boy since June, & I trust will maintain his post till he comes to Cambridge, to work steadily & not play the fool like the Boy who broke his (George's) arm some 3 or so years ago, & has now, I hear, run off from Trinity under disgraceful circumstances of some sort

Believe me

Very sincerely

J. S. Henslow