I duly received your last letter. You will be sorry to hear that Sir Wyville has been very ill. A week ago last Sunday he became suddenly very unwell and for two days his friends were all in great anxiety about him, – the doctors are not, I think, quite agreed as to what was the matter. During the past || few days he has rallied greatly. He is now sitting up in his room. I saw him for a short time on Saturday, and had a short conversation with him, he seemed quite himself again. However the doctors will not allow him to do any kind of work at present, nor for some time to come. I hope when you come in August you will find him all right. At the time he took ill, he was arranging to get H.M.S. „Porcupine” to come up to the north of Scotland || to take you and all of us out for a cruise, where we could work the tow-net, sound, dredge &c. It would have been fine if this had taken place, but it is now all knocked on the head. However I think I’ll be able to take you some place on the coast where we can have some tow netting so will expect you the first week in August.
I will require to take charge of all the Challenger work, so may require to give up all idea of going to India.
My best remembrances to Mrs Haeckel and the children
Yours ever
John Murray. ||
I’ll get all the Radiolaria looked out for you, before you come here.
