A LEGACY TO DAEWIN 235 



He was immensely interested to hear that Mr. Anthony 

 Rich, the antiquarian, having no other kith and kin but his 

 sister, with whom he lived at Worthing, had resolved to 

 bequeath his fortune ultimately to Darwin, in token of his 

 admiration for the man and his work. 



To the Same 



December 13, 1878. 



Well, I shall dream of that blessed old couple at Worthing 

 it was indeed a curious thing, and I have no doubt that it is 

 the precursor of many such acts ; as knowledge increases, 

 so must appreciation of the people and institutions to whom 

 we owe it. Govt. may do much, but it must always be 

 under such vexatious restrictions that it tries a man's temper 

 and patience, let his patriotism be what it will, to undertake 

 the expenditure of what Government gives, and I fear it 

 ever must be so. Between ourselves I think there will be 

 a wretched outcome of the Govt. Fund (the 4000 per annum). 

 I am sure that if I had the uncontrolled selection of persons 

 to grant it to, and was free to use my authority over them, 

 I could have got ten times more done with the money. I 

 shirked the subject with my address. Ever your affectionate 

 rejoicer, 



J. D. HOOKER. 



There was an old couple at Worthing 



Who resolved to reward the deserving ; 



And with wise resolution 



Pitched upon Evolution, 



That pecunious old couple of Worthing. 



Kew : February 8, 1877. 



MY DEAR GRAY, I have not yet wished you a happy 

 New Year and many of them, but like Martha, I am 

 ' troubled with much serving.' Now too I have a new edition 

 of my Student's British Flora on hand, anent which nothing 

 strikes me as so curious as the contrast with your Manual in 

 respect of the limits of species. Will you ever be bothered 

 with the subspecies and varieties that drive me frantic, 



