VI 



Should it please Divine Providence to spare a life devoted to the calm and 

 unobtrusive pursuits of science and the development of the vegetable produc- 

 tions of this vast continent, you will render incalculable service, not merely to 

 Victoria, but to the whole of the Australian colonies, and future generations 

 will contemplate witli wonder the indefatigable labour and untiring zeal of 

 one so highly favoured. If, however, like a distinguished historian who was 

 struck down in the midst of his literary labours, your sun should set, ere the 

 great works designed by you shall have been fully accomplished, it may truly 

 be said of you as it was of a renowned general of antiquity : " Et ipse quidem 

 quamquam media in spaiio integrce tztatis ereplus, quantum ad gloriam, longis- 

 slmum cevtan peregit" 



I am, my dear Sir, 



Your faithful and obliged friend, 



WILLIAM WOOLLS, 

 Parramatta, 



December 1867. 



