Vill 
requirements of the day, and like the great majority of similar corporations, now 
only exists for the gratification of its members. 
The circumstances attending my search in the Barbers’ Records are worthy of 
remark. In the first instance, I wrote to the Clerk of the Company, Mr. HENLEY 
Grose Smitu, asking if he could give me any information about the subject of my 
work; after waiting for more than a week, without receiving any answer, I went 
to the Hall in Monkwell Street, and was thence referred by the housekeeper to the 
Clerk’s office in the City. In my interview with him, he said that he was pressed 
for time just then, and that if he sent a clerk to the Hall purposely, he must charge 
his time to me, but that if I would consent to wait a fortnight, his clerk would be 
at Barbers’ Hall, and I could “ take advantage of his being there.” Although the 
delay was irksome, I consented to wait, but shortly afterwards, Mr. Smiru, for his 
own convenience, wrote to postpone the date of my visit, to nearly a month subse- 
quent to my interview withhim. On the day appointed, I carefully looked over such 
of the books about the required date as the clerk could find, and quitted the place in 
less than three hours from the time of entering. The following day to my extreme 
surprise, I received a note from the Clerk, requesting me to remit one guinea “ for 
clerk’s time.’ I replied, pointing out how monstrous it was to charge me with an 
exorbitant amount, merely for his deputy’s trouble in finding and placing before me 
certain books, for whilst I was at the Hall, the Clerk’s clerk was engaged in work for 
the Company, apparently preparing notices to be sent to the members. For answer to 
this letter of mine, I had an offensively worded epistle, totally ignoring the questions 
Ihad put, and taking credit for making no charge for correspondence. In rejoinder 
I said, that the so-called correspondence consisted of these items: (a) Not answer- 
ing my letter of enquiry, and thus compelling me to call at two places, (b) altering 
the date of my visit to suit himself, (c) sending in his claim, (d) his attempt 
to justify it. Although strongly urged to withstand this imposition, I felt it impos- 
sible to remain under tie slightest obligation in this quarter, and therefore sent a 
cheque, enclosed in a brief note, expressing my sense of the want of right feeling 
displayed by twice charging for his clerk’s services, first to the Company and then 
to me, who neither had, nor required, the undivided attention of his subordinate. 
I received no acknowledgement whatever of this letter. 
There only remains the pleasing duty of acknowledging the kind assistance of 
those who have so materially contributed to the completion of my task. To the 
officers of the Botanical Department of the British Museum, Mr. Wituiam 
CarxuTuers, F.R S., Dr. Henry Trimen, and Mr. James Britten, I must express 
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