758 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1884, 



top (of several square miles) fringed with dark firs 

 and spruces, and the open part adorned with thou- 

 sands of clumps of Rhododendron Catawbiense, which 

 when there last before, late in June, we saw all loaded 

 with blossoms, while the sides were glorious with three 

 species of Azalea, not to speak of many other botan- 

 ical treasures. There, at top and at base, we passed 

 four busy days. A narrow-gauge railway recently 

 built, and new to us, reaches to the base of the moun- 

 tain, up the Doe River, through most picturesque 

 scenery, showing to most advantage in the descent. 

 On our way back we diverged to visit some striking 

 rock scenery on the upper Kanawha River, and thence 

 to a mountain-top lower than Roan, but with the 

 advantage of a charming little lake, with banks all 

 fringed with Rhododendron maximum and Kalmia, 

 hanging over the water for a rod or two, except on 

 the side where the little hotel stands. Well, I have 

 written a deal here, little as I have managed to tell 

 you. I think you and Lady Fry should come over and 

 see for yourselves, just a pleasant summer vacation, if 

 you can leave Failand for so long. 



TO J. D. HOOKER. 



September 26, 1884. 



So dear Bentham has gone, not quite filled out 

 his eighty-fourth year. Well, we could have wished 

 this year of infirmity and suffering had been avoided. 

 One would like to say good-evening promptly at the 

 close of the working-day. But this we cannot order, 

 so we must accept what comes. We shall miss him 

 greatly. We have nobody left to look up to. He 

 seems to have made a wise and good disposition of his 

 effects. 



