430 MISCELLANEOUS, 1850-1860 



Sir J. K. would only read the Gardeners' Chronicle, he will 

 find out all about the plant and that the male is not now to 

 be had at Kew — any more than apple flowers are at Xmas. 

 I Hke your account of Sir J. K., he promises well, but these 

 people are always promising well, and they make me as 

 snappish as a turtle by asking questions that are answered 

 a hundred times over in the weekly periodicals. Some 

 other people bother me in like manner about Ehododendrons; 

 and 1 am tempted to say * read my book and you will find 

 out all about them ' ; it is hard to have to write books and 

 read them to the public afterwards ! 



A similar case occurs years afterwards. 

 To T. H. Huxley 



December 2, 1869. 



A. is a good soul, but is cursed with a Microscope. 



I proposed a tax on microscopes some years ago, exempt- 

 ing Professors only; Recommend to him a mild course of 

 study — to be followed by a reperusal of your lecture, after 

 which you may tell him safely that he may write again ! 



The following touches on the sense of home. In 1854 

 Bentham had just decided to give his valuable herbarium to 

 the nation and leave his beautiful but remote home in Hereford 

 for Kew. With characteristic self- depreciation he had even 

 contemplated giving up botany altogether, but the Hookers 

 urged him to join them at Kew, where he could have the run 

 of their own herbarium and library, and help to bring out the 

 Colonial Floras projected by Sir William. Hooker had sug- 

 gested this already, writing in 1853 : 



Do you know we often speculate on your coming to live 

 in Kew, with plenty of botanical society for yourself and 

 of friends for Mrs. Bentham ; how glad we should be of you. 

 You are suffering from a common calamity in the country : 

 the migration of neighbours, and one you cannot guard 

 against and which will grow with your years. If I saw any 

 prospect of an advantageous settlement of your collection 

 at Kew I would urge your cutting Pontrilas and having a 

 small establishment here. I think you could live here com- 

 fortably for £600 including as much fly-hire as you pleased. 



