I04 The Irish Naturalist. [April, 



Boswell. Among several interesting letters and notes on Irish botany 

 which it contains, are two from Dr. David Moore and one from A. G. 

 More, addressed to Syme in 1865-66, and dealing with Cybele, and 

 with rare or critical Irish plants. Another letter, from More to Mrs. 

 Syme, is so characteristic that, perhaps, I may be pardoned for 

 reproducing portion of it : — 



3, Botanic-view, Glasnevin, Dublin, 



February 18, 



" Dear Mrs. Syme,— May I drive a bargain with you ? I am anxious to 

 possess a likeness (carte) of your respected husband, and as I cannot 

 hope to steal it, I must (for once onl)^ try the "honest" course of 

 barter. Wherefore, I have enclosed you a caricature of a big-headed 

 man, which may serve for phrenological purposes, and I shall feel greatly 

 richer by the exchange, if you will let me have Mr. Symes' carte and 



signature, for my gallery of British Botanists We have 



made good progress with our " ^«aj/-Cybele," which fortunately was 

 announced under the appropriate title of an Irish supplement to Mr. 

 Watson's valued work. Is it not singular that everything in this 

 country turns into a " Bull" } And what is very serious to contemplate 

 is that that wonderful turn of expression will surel}' be set down to 

 A. G. M. As a means possibly oi conciliating the: Irish the plan is worth 

 considering, but it will be difficult to make the preface to our book keep 

 pace with the circular 



We have laid the foundations all afresh on personal authority, verify- 

 ing the doubtful or critical species by specimens. And we have reserved 

 the book authorities to be incorporated afterwards, to be used only to 

 fill in blanks. Thus, I trust our book will be something better than 

 a mere compilation, but the labour, especially of criticism, has been 

 immense. Starting with the axiom that nothing is to be accepted unless 

 it is reproved, we have catechized and cross-questioned in every 



direction, hitherto very successfully By the way, I suppose 



the " fun" of writing Cybeles consists chiefly in the pleasure of cross- 

 examining witnesses, and then acting as judge also. I often think what 

 a good training it would be for a barrister, or what a good " Cybelisf a 

 good barrister would make. What a pity that their fine intellect should 

 be wasted at the bar, is it not } 



With kind regards to your circle, and especially to Mr. Syme, 



I remain, dear Mrs. Syme, 



Yours very sincerely, 



Ai,Ex. G. More. 

 P.S. — I have been ordered medically to abstain from poetry, or you 

 should have had another copy of verses. 



P. P.S. — This is a bad land for thieves, there is nothing worth stealing, 

 unless in the cattle line (and that is transportation)." 



Altogether, Miss More and Mr. MofFatt have laid us under a deep obli- 

 gation for this faithful picture of an excellent all-round naturalist and 

 lovable man, whose painstaking industry will long inspire those who 

 had the privilege of his friendship. 



R. lyl. P. 



