To William Jardine   23 March 1838 and 26 March

My dear Sir,

I feel conscious that you must have thought very ill of me for neglecting the Mag. Zool. – but I will explain. Just as I was setting about the Keeling paper in June I received the intimation of my having got a living which took me from Cambridge and I did not return there until October. I then found so much to do and had to wind up my pupilizing affairs with 3 men, that last term I could not look at Darwin’s plants– As soon as I could I prepared the paper but found 2 or 3 points of puzzle & sent it to Sir W. Hooker as Bot. Editor – requesting him to forward specimens for my comparison – I have just heard from him that he can do so, & when I receive them I will immediately send the paper as you may direct me – In future I am happy to say I shall take no pupils & have a clearer field for Botany – I hope to lend a hand at the Annals, but do not propose to ask any remuneration as you offered me under the old work when I could not well spare my time – I think however that I ought to make some allusion to a letter I had from you in which you stated that you would give directions on going to Edinb. (about May last/or before) that I should receive the sum stipulated for my report of the proceedings at Bristol. Now I have never received this, & I fear that there must have been a mistake somewhere – I do not wish to [illeg.] you & if it was found on winding up the affairs of the Journal that the Editors were loosers I beg that I may not be paid for that Report or for whatever you proposed that I s ^d receive afterwards – but I really think it right that the circumstance s ^d be mentioned – My paper on Keeling will require 2 or 3 outline engravings.

Pray say where I am to direct it –

Y ^r Ever truely | J S Henslow