352 CHARLES CARDALE EABINGTON. [1861 



and inclination to place him in communication with some zoologists 

 in Scotland, who may take part with him in some valuable 

 researches into the geographical distribution of birds, etc., in 

 North Britain. I shall esteem it a favour if you can help him in 

 this matter, for he is well deserving of help. He will write to you 

 on the subject in the same cover that contains this letter. You 

 will be sorry to learn that Henslow is sinking fast, and cannot 

 probably live many days. He will be a very great loss, both here 

 and in his parish. With the kindest remembrances to Mrs. 

 Balfour.— Most truly yours, Charles C. Babington. 



To the Rev. T. A. Preston. 



Cambridge, May 23, 1861. 



Dear Preston, — I am glad to learn that you have been so 

 successful in your botanical collections. I shall be glad to give 

 you any help that may be in my power, but cannot properly leave 

 Cambridge for some little time, three or four weeks to come. Had 

 it been later in the year I should have liked to pay you the proposed 

 visit, and looked over the collections with you. How soon do you 

 announce the successful candidate ? If not sooner than that, I will 

 endeavour to come. — Yours truly, Charles C. Babington. 



To the same. 



Cambridge, May 25, 1861. 



Dear Preston, — I will certainly endeavour to come to Marlborough 

 next month, in time for the examination of the plants, but cannot 

 fix the exact day at present. The annexed will shew what I am 

 about.* The election is June 12. I have good hopes of success. — 

 Yours truly, Charles C. Babington. 



To the same. 



Cambridge, June 3, 1861. 



Dear Preston, — I do not think that you have any vote on the 

 12th, as I believe that your name is not on the Electoral Roll of 

 Residents. My idea is to go to Marlborough on Tuesday, June 18. 

 "Will you tell me by what train I can get on to you, and how ? 

 Could not you best get the plants, as you know what species the 

 boys by themselves have already obtained? Nevertheless, if you 

 find that impossible, I will do what I can. I am sorry that you 

 make so much use of Bentham's book, for it certainly does not 

 tend to promote the minute accuracy requisite to render botany 

 a valuable educational subject. Think of this against another year. 

 Yours truly, Charles C. Babington. 



* Elected Professor of Botany, June 12, 1861. 



