ATTEMPTS AT SETTLEMENT 169 



mentally altering its constitution and my position, without 

 consulting me either directly or indirectly in the matter. 

 I say nothing and try to think as little as possible of their 

 utter disregard of my experience and position. I have no 

 wish to throw up my post, but I must do so if matters go 

 on thus. 



However, this scheme to move Kew from the Board of 

 Works and set Hooker * on his legs again ' fell through in the 

 third week of February ; as did another essay immediately 

 after, for which Hooker waited with some hope, for ' Mr. West 

 assures me that my grievance is thoroughly appreciated and 

 that there is a determination to support me/ (Feb. 23). 

 His own opinion, however, was 



that matters are not ripe for any great scheme, but that a 

 beginning may be made by removing Kew to the ' Lords of 

 the Committee,' where it will be in the same category as 

 Jermyn Street and South Kensington. Kew has come to 

 be classed with, and as v one of, the Parks, most erroneously, 

 and out of that it must be hauled forthwith, if possible. 

 (To Lubbock, Feb. 19, 1872.) 



This scheme being dropped, Mr. Gladstone placed the 

 matter in the hands of a Committee of the Cabinet, consisting 

 of Lord Eipon, Lord Halifax, and Mr. Cardwell, 1 to whom, on 

 March 21, Hooker handed in a memorial stating the points 

 wherein his relations to the Government required definition 

 and correction. 



The upshot was a communication from Mr. Gladstone 

 through Lord Eipon's secretary, that * Mr. Ayrton has been 

 told that Dr. Hooker should in all respects be treated as the 

 head of the local establishment at Kew ; of course in sub- 

 ordination to the First Commissioner of Works.' 



This thoroughly inconclusive statement provoked a vigorous 

 answer from Hooker. The issues raised were not met by such 



1 Edward Cardwell (1813-86), or. viscount on retirement from politics in 

 1874, was a first-rate administrator, best remembered for his Merchant Shipping 

 Act of 1854, and the reform of the Army when Secretary for War under Mr. 

 Gladstone after 1868. Others will recall that it was he who defeated Thackeray 

 at the Oxford bye-election in 1857. 



VOL. II M 



