From Leonard Horner   10 May 1851

My Dear Sir

I met M ^r Bentham at the Athenaeum yesterday, and was glad to hear from him the favourable result of the interview Sir W ^m & Dr H. had with M ^r Phillips on Wednesday, a further account I got from D ^r H himself who dined with us yesterday. So far everything is encouraging. M ^r Phillips said that the memorial proposed would be very useful & the sooner it is sent the better.

At my request, M ^r Bentham undertook to make a draft of such an one as he thought would do, & he sent it to me last night. I think it is very good. We are to meet on Monday at the Athenaeum to confer further on the subject, and I have asked Lyell to join us & am going to ask Forbes – Lyell thinks that besides the Botanists, there should be the testimony of others to the services J. Hooker has rendered to Natural History, Palaeontology & Physical Geography, & we put down about 20 names in all, which, considering their rank in science, or at least as regards the large majority of them, would do.- What do you say as to your signature being attached? To set against the great botanical weight, there is the relationship.

Lindley I have seen & he will join cordially – Brown I have spoken to, indirectly, & found him most kindly disposed to J. Hooker.

Many thanks for the copy of the sketch of your Typical Series – What you have already sketched is excellent but it is no inconsiderable an undertaking. I will do what I can to supply specimens.

I think J. H. has been far from being well used by De La Beche- Had I known what H. told me yesterday evening, I would not have done De La B. the honour to speak about the movement in H’s favour as I did yesterday. However I must in justice say that he expressed a great desire to serve him; a consciousness perhaps that he had something to repair-

On account of M ^rs Henry Lyell’s departure for India sometime in the first week of July it will not be possible for M ^rs Horner or any of my daughters to go to Ipswich, but I intend to go & remain at Herriots From the Wednesday to the Saturday-

My kind regards to M ^rs Henslow & all at the Rectory-

Ever faithfully Your’s

Leonard Horner