1854.] TASMANIA. 361 



Perhaps you would like to hear the very little that I can 

 say per contra^ and this only applied to the beginning, in 

 which (as it struck me) there was noX flow enough till you get 

 to Mirzapore on the Ganges (but the Thugs were most inter- 

 esting), where the stream seemed to carry you on more 

 equably with longer sentences and longer facts and discus- 

 sions, &c. In another edition (::nd 1 am delighted to hear 

 that Murray has sold all off), I would consider whether this 

 part could not be condensed. Even if the meteorology was 

 put in foot-notes, I think it would be an improvement. All 

 the world is against me, but it makes me very unhappy to see 

 the Latin names all in Italics, and all mingled with English 

 names in Roman type ; but I must bear this burden, for all 

 men of Science seem to think it would corrupt the Latin to 

 dress it up in the same type as poor old English. Well, I 

 am very proud of 7ny book ; but there is one bore, that I do 

 not much like asking people whether they have seen it, and 

 how they like it, for I feel so much identified with it, that 

 such questions become rather personal. Hence, I cannot 

 tell you the opinion of others. You will have seen a fairly 

 good review in the ^Athenseum.' 



What capital news from Tasmania : it really is a very re- 

 markable and creditable fact to the Colony.* I am always 

 building veritable castles in the air about emigrating, and 

 Tasmania has been my head-quarters of late ; so that I feel 

 very proud of my adopted country : it is really a very singu- 

 lar and delightful fact, contrasted with the slight appreciation 

 of science in the old country. I thank you heartily for your 

 letter this morning, and for all the gratification your Dedica- 

 tion has given me ; I could not help thinking how much 



would despise you for not having dedicated it to some great 

 man, who would have done you and it some good in the eyes 

 of the world. Ah, my dear Hooker, you were very soft on 

 this head, and justify what I say about not caring enough for 



* This refers to an unsolicited grant by the Colonial Government 

 towards the expenses of Sir J. Hooker's ' Flora of Tasinania.' 



17 



