BECOMES DIRECTOK OF KEW 49 



the post with a view to retirement when able. My elevation 

 brings me no increase of income and a higher scale of living, 

 as I now feel it my duty to give up examiner ships &c. that 

 yielded upwards of 300. But I have no fear of not carrying 

 my point, which is a properly educated assistant to be under 

 Oliver. The Curator is in future to be my assistant in 

 Garden duties, Oliver, with increased salary, in scientific 

 matters ; an excellent arrangement, as there is no one able 

 to be my assistant in both, nor are the functions compatible 

 in any but one who like myself has grown with the growth of 

 the establishment and been educated to it. In the conver- 

 sation I had with the Board they - let the cat out of the bag ' 

 in informing me that they abolished the Assistant Director- 

 ship because they knew of no one fitted for it ! not only an 

 unintentional compliment to me, but an admission by impli- 

 cation that neither could they find another person fit to be 

 Director ! I took no notice, but have it in hand as * one for 

 his nob ' if needs be. 



You see ' my Dander is up,' as the Yankees say, but pray 

 say nothing about this ; fighting battles before bystanders 

 is only a shade better than in the dark, and one gains nothing 

 by appearing to be in opposition. 



