From William Spence   11 September 1857

My dear Sir,

Very many thanks for the Programme of the 16 ^th. Though I shall not be able to join your party I already hear in my mind’s ear the hearty laughs from Hitcham Cottage tea tables of your happy idea of the local Babies being allowed to help themselves at yours ad libitum and feasting.

Thanks also for the notice of the Diagrams which I am very glad will now in conjunction with your “Practical Lessons” afford all the Clergymen & Teachers who see the high value of Botanical instruction so excellent a means of following your example. I only wish you could convey with the Diagrams your power of fixing the interest and affection of your pupils.

Whether available this year or not, there is no need to allude in any way to my Excursion Subscription which is a very small affair compared with your contributions of necessary time & labour so many years to this object.

My London “Season” is not yet ended, having my son with us from Florence. Just now he is on a Visit at Sir W. ^m Middleton’s Shrubland, but I expect him back in a day or two.

I am | my dear Sir |yours very truly | W. Spence |