John Murray (Challenger Office University Edinburgh), Edinburgh, 22. Oktober 1877
„Challenger” Office
University | Edinburgh.
22 Oct. 1877.
My dear Hæckel
I was delighted to receive your letter last week, and to hear that you and Mrs Hæckel had arrived safely „at home” after your Italian trip. I hope you found Emma and the other little ones all safe and well. I too was a little depressed after parting with you at Munich. I felt lonely and not so “tum diddle dum” as formerly. I had no sympathetic half either – lucky fellows you married men!! I did not go to Switzerland – I went to Stuttgart, for a day: to Heidelberg || for three days, to Frankfurt for a week: then to Mayence for a day: then down the Rheine to Bohnn and I spent a week in going home by Cologne Rotterdam and London. I enjoyed this trip, but not so much as the first part of my visit to Germany. I felt the want of company very much. My best thanks to you and Mrs Hæckel for your invitation to repeat my visit. It will give me very great pleasure to do so. Why should I think you all Barbarians? If you be barbarians, then I can tell you that the girls are the nicest barbarians I ever saw! I should like to hug them. I hope to get to Germany next year. ||
I have sent you to-day a box with Medusae Siphonophora and a Ceratodus. I think you have in this box all or nearly all the Medusae. – I will look carefully in the surface bottles this week for more and should any turn up I will send them on to you. We have got to move all our things in about a fortnight to another house this gives us much work just now. I will send you Peripatus and some other things in about a week. I wrote to your friend in Glasgow about the route to send the box. By the route he proposes the customs will open the box, so I have sent the box by the „Globe” route as formerly. || Be sure to send me the accounts for the boxes, and we will remit you the money.
I have sent Gegenbaur two ceratodus and I have offered him the brain and some other parts in absol. Alcohol. I’ve also sent one ceratodus to Koelliker, and two Chionis to v. Liebold.
Sir Wyville says he will remember about the Echinoderma. Let me know if you wish any thing else.
My kindest remembrances to Mrs Hæckel and thanks for her kindness to me. Remember me also to the young generation. – tell Lizzie I will not forget the Scotch present she won from me.
With the best greetings yours very truly
John Murray.