166 THE ANTAECTIC VOYAGE : PEBSONAL 



bearings, and my only objection is that I should like to 

 leave the service, as I entered it, for the Expedition, and 

 not for any benefit the service would give me in return. 

 However, as you know, I am not independent, and must 

 not be too proud ; if I cannot be a Naturalist with a fortune, 

 I must not be too vain to take honourable compensation for 

 my trouble. 



You, to whom I owe everything, and on whom I am 

 entirely dependent out of the service, are the best judge 

 as to whether I should accept the commission and the half- 

 p ay of 5s. a day ; at any rate, until the plants be published. 

 Were an Expedition to go (like Parry's last) for eight or nine 

 months to the North ; or the more especially any land one, 

 for about the same time, and offer to take me as Naturalist, 

 it is my present expectation to avail myself of it. It 

 must be something very good which would put me off 

 doing so. 



You have above a full, true, and particular account of 

 my Navy prospects, and have nothing to add on the subject 

 but the hope that you will not have any reason to find fault 

 with the course I have taken. 



This letter is endorsed by Lady Hooker : 



I do hope I am thankful for Joseph's good sense and 

 modest appreciation of himself, even more than for his 

 Captain's praise, or than the sweet prospect of his preference 

 of his father's roof and employment at home (July 1, 1843). 



These plans met Sir William's full approval. Two years' 

 leave on half-pay must surely be granted him for bringing 

 out his scientific results. 



' Were I still in Glasgow,' he writes, ' and Professor of 

 Botany, I might* have had the means of securing for you my 

 Chair or of resigning it in your favour ere long. But I am of 

 opinion you would not like the drudgery of lecturing.' But 

 * Merit is generally sure to secure interest,' and the alternative 

 suggestion is to come to Kew, to help in the Herbarium, and 

 by dint of his publications and botanical studies establish in 

 course of time a claim to succeed to the post of Director. 



Such work would be congenial and would bring him into 



