18621871] JOHN SCOTT 331 



To J. D. Hooker. Letter 656 



[May 22nd, 1864]. 



What a good kind heart you have got You cannot tell 

 how your letter has pleased me. I will write to Scott and 

 ask him if he chooses to go out and risk engagement If he 

 will not he must want all energy. He says himself he wants 

 stoicism, and is too sensitive. I hope he may not want 

 courage. I feel sure he is a remarkable man, with much good 

 in him, but no doubt many errors and blemishes. I can 

 vouch for his high intellect (in my judgment he is the best 

 observer I ever came across) ; for his modesty, at least in 

 correspondence ; and there is something high-minded in his 

 determination not to receive money from me. I shall ask 

 him whether he can get a good character for probity and 

 sobriety, and whether he can get aid from his relations for 

 his voyage out. I will help, and, if necessary, pay the whole 

 voyage, and give him enough to support him for some 

 weeks at Calcutta. I will write when I hear from him. God 

 bless you ; you, who are so overworked, are most generous to 

 take so much trouble about a man you have had nothing to 

 do with. 



Scott had left the Botanic Gardens at Edinburgh in March 1864, 

 chagrined at what, justly or unjustly, he considered discouragement and 

 slight. The Indian offer was most gladly and gratefully accepted. 



To J. Scott. Letter 6S7 



Down, Nov. ist, 1871. 



Dr. Hooker has forwarded to me your letter as the best and 

 simplest plan of explaining affairs. I am sincerely grieved 

 to hear of the pecuniary trouble which you have undergone, 

 but now fortunately passed. I assure you that I have never 

 entertained any feelings in regard to you which you suppose. 

 Please to remember that I distinctly stated that I did not 

 consider the sum which I advanced as a loan, but as a gift ; 

 and surely there is nothing discreditable to you, under the 

 circumstances, in receiving a gift from a rich man, as I am. 

 Therefore I earnestly beg you to banish the whole subject 

 from your mind, and begin laying up something for yourself 

 in the future. I really cannot break my word and accept 

 payment. Pray do not rob me of my small share in the 



