My dear Hooker

Congratulate me, for I have finished last revise of last sheet of my Book. It has been an awful job,—7$\frac{1}{2}$ months correcting the press— the book from much small type does not look big, but is really very big.¹ I have had hard work to keep up to the mark, but during last week only few revises came, so that I have rested & feel more myself. Hence, after our long mutual silence, I enjoy myself by writing a note to you, for the sake of exhaling & hearing from you.— On account of Index, I do not suppose that you will receive your copy till middle of next month.—² I shall be intensely curious to hear what you think about pangenesis; though I can see how fearfully imperfect even in mere conjectural conclusions it is, yet it has been an infinite satisfaction to me somehow to connect the various large groups of facts, which I have long considered, by an intelligible thread.³ I shall not be at all surprised if you attack it & me with unparalleled ferocity.— It will be my endeavour to do as little as possible for some time, but shall soon prepare a paper or two for Linn. Soc.—⁴ In a short time we shall go to London for 10 days, but the time is not yet fixed.⁵ Now I have told you a deal about myself; & do let me hear a good deal about your own past & future doings. Can you pay us a visit?⁶ Early in December Woolner is coming here to make a bust of me for my Brother;⁷ & a most horrid bore it is; but he being here w^d. not interfere with your visit if you could come. I have seen no one for an age & heard no news. I enclose some Himalayan Balsam seed, which my wife collected for you, as you said you wanted it—but the seed does not appear very good.⁸

Ever my dear Hooker | Yours most truly | C. Darwin

About my book, I will give you a bit of advice, skip the whole of Vol I, except last Chapt. (& that need only be skimmed) & skip largely in 2^d. vol., & then you will say it is very good book.—⁹