DISLIKE OF KNIGHTHOOD 147 



not be put forward ; not being in the Indian service, he 

 doubted his eligibility. 



But [he continues to Darwin] I do not think there is the 

 least chance of my getting the offer of it. 



The K.C.S.I. is so rare an honour that I might well be 

 proud to have it, for my Indian services ; but I really do 

 not desire Knighthood, and would infinitely rather be plain 

 Dr. Hooker with C.B. to testify to my having done my 

 duty as well as others who have that certificate. So if it 

 comes I shall be proud of it ; if not, I shall be as well con- 

 tent. Please say nothing about it. The fact is the Duke 

 might do it with a stroke of the pen, but he don't like my 

 Darwinism and my Address and I am right proud of that ! 

 And now to more congenial subjects. 



A week later there is a pointed postscript : 



Pray do not C.B. your letters to me — I can't stand it. 

 I own C.B. gratifies me in a service point of view, and it is 

 very useful officially in Indian and Colonial correspondence, 

 but scientifically I rather dislike it. 



The result did not satisfy Lyell, who a little time afterwards 

 — it appears to have been early in 1870 — took Hooker to task 

 for his refusals. The latter unbosoms himself very freely to 

 his closest friend. 



To Charles Darwin 



Monday. 



Lyell had a long talk with me about Knighthood, which 

 he seems greatly to regret my not accepting. I could not 

 tell him how gladly I ' not accepted,' nor how much I do 

 not regret it, nor could I make him understand my feelings 

 in the matter, — that I have no wish whatever to be Sir J. 

 at all, but that if this must be some day, the least objection- 

 able way is clearly in the Bath, the Bath being a recognition 

 of 'public services &c. I have no wish even for that, but I 

 quite feel the force of all my friends wishing it, of my public 

 position suiting it, and of keeping up (what I and my relations 

 do, and my children will take a reasonable pride in) the 

 public recognition won by so many members of my family 



