1885.] LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 235 



which may bring it within reach of working-men, few of whom may 

 be able to pay a University fee of four guineas, with a corresponding 

 fee for matriculation. 



I shall 1)8 sorry if what I am about to say sliall be considered a 

 load laid upon that suggestion, for my view of it is very different, 

 and my desire is to promote, not to impede, any movement whicli 

 may have been originated, by showing what may easily be done, 

 if those taking an interest in the matter be willing to be satisfied 

 with a small beginning. 



If any arrangements wliich may Ije proposed l^e such as appear 

 to me adapted to secure what is designed, and my assistance be 

 desired, I am willing to give a series of lectures in Edinburgh on 

 Saturday afternoons, on some one department of Forest science, on 

 condition that my travelling expenses to and from town lie met — 

 say 5 s. a week. And I doubt not others in Edinburgh may be 

 willing to give like aid in such an undertaking. 



I may be reminded that there are other expenses which such an 

 arrangement would entail — the hire of a hall and ad\-ertisements. 

 It is so : silver and gold I have not ; but what I have I am pre- 

 pared to give, and to give iiugrudgingly. And I think there may 

 be classrooms, halls, or schoolrooms, which, if it were made manifest- 

 that it is a working-man's movement for the advancement in know- 

 ledge of themselves and others, without their incurring pecuniary 

 obligations to any one, might be granted on condition of outlay for 

 lighting, heating, and cleaning being met ; while advertising may be 

 done economically and efficiently, as easily as recklessly and extra- 

 vagantly. Or it may be there are in existence organizations 

 wliich, if application were made to them by a few intelligent, 

 prudent working-men, might be willing to grant the use of their 

 hall, and moreover to guarantee the expenses, and throw open the 

 lectures to all on payment of aTi entrance fee of, say, one ^cmiy, 

 considering, the balance between income and expenditure well 

 expended in furtherance of the object for whicli they were 

 organized. Let this be done, and arrangements might be begun 

 and completed within a week after the Xew Year. 



In reference to wliat I have said above, I may suggest, as a 

 suitable course of lectures for Saturday afternoons, a series On the 

 Structure and Grovith of Trees : with details of the different forms 

 of leaves, and the different appearance presented by diflerent trees ; 

 of the structure of trunks and branches of trees ; of the develop- 

 ment of trees from seeds ; and of malformations and abnormal 

 growths. — I am. Sir, respectfully yours, 



John C. Brown. 



