376 BOTANY : ITS POSITION AND PEOSPECTS 



but adepts mastering the Invertebrata. Of course you can 

 give an elementary course on these things such as they were, 

 but so much science and philosophy is now expected from a 

 professor, that I would rather you could confine yourself to 

 Botany. 



Embodying his friend's arguments in a letter to the 

 authorities Harvey obtained relief from this anomaly, and 

 was able, as Hooker put it, to settle down to a quiet Botani- 

 philus' life. The letter of November 25 continues : 



You ought now to take the highest position in Bot. Science 

 and regard the aspiration thereto as your destiny. You 

 are loaded with honey and your calHng is science, and you 

 and I should have no thought but to make ourselves useful 

 to Science, without fear of personal failure. The less we think 

 of ourselves the better so long as we are no burthens to our 

 neighbours. Bentham's unselfish love of science always 

 charms me, he has never a thought of personal aggrandise- 

 ment in money or honor ; but indeed we have both of us 

 hved under the highest examples and happiest influences in 

 these respects. My Father, Bentham, and Thomson are such 

 a trio as we shall never see again. Except Faraday and 

 Darwin I know of no others in the walks of science so pure 

 and disinterested, except perhaps Asa Gray in America. I 

 am getting prosy, however. 



More than once during this period the necessity of lecturing 

 nearly fell upon Hooker. In 1851 it was proposed to appoint 

 a Professor of Botany to Kew, to lecture in London, and Prince 

 Albert suggested him for the post. But such a proposal did 

 not fit with the real position of Kew or of its Director. Hooker, 

 being * pumped,' answered frankly that work on his Indian 

 and Southern collections would put lectm'ing out of the question 

 for himself ; that making such an appointment to an estab- 

 lishment having neither Library, Herbarium, Secretary, nor 

 Museum-keeper was putting the cart before the horse ; and 

 indeed, so long as his father was supporting the establishment 

 in these points out of his private purse or energy, appearances 

 must be deceptive. Bather call in the services of good outside 

 lecturers. 



