591 
From the same. 
My dear Sir, Rose Castle, Nov. 9, 1810. 
I had a great deal to do in the former edition of 
Hortus Kewensis, and cannot but think the work 
highly useful and most highly honourable to Great 
Britain. 
What a dreadful loss will the death of poor Dry- 
ander be! I do not think that he is to be replaced, 
in all his bearings. Possibly he was a dull plod- 
ding genius as to brilliant and classical effusions: 
but that said genius fitted him for every other si- 
tuation which he filled. Plodding is the first qua- 
lity of a librarian. None but he could have worked 
up the Bibliotheca Banksiana. Who so fit to in- 
vestigate dried plants, and trace out synonyms in 
the musty journals of foreign Academies. Then he 
was a walking Dictionary, or rather Repertory, for 
all inquiries into natural history. Then also his 
usefulness as a patient drudge in all matters which 
were proposed to him, was an excellent quality. 
His bluntness had its great effect with innovators, 
impertinents, and popinjays. He had a conscious- 
ness of his real worth also, which made him a very 
independent character. [really am quite sorry that 
we have lost him. What will Sir Joseph do? 
As soon as I come to town I shall have a long 
arrears of English Botany to run over, for I take 
in that work in town. 
Ever yours, 
SAMUEL CaRLISLE. 
