254 TRIBUTES TO KNOWLEDGE, 



one who carefully avoided all allusion to any good he 

 did, and I believe destroyed all letters on the subject, 

 but those who knew him well were cognisant of very 

 many kindly and generous actions. I need only name 

 one that concerned myself. When I undertook the 

 publication of the Birds of Europe, I was rather troubled 

 about ways and means, for had it proved a failure, 

 it would have entailed a heavy loss on me. I talked 

 matters over with him, and he encouraged me to go 

 on, assuring me that my friends would stand by me. 

 Later on he made me a formal offer to lend me money, 

 should I need it, adding that if it were lost I should not 

 be called on to refund it, and that it was not to bear 

 any interest in any case. I promised that, should I ever 

 need it, I would avail myself of his offer, but determined 

 not to do so unless hard pressed, and I am thankful to 

 say that I managed without having to come to him for 

 assistance ; though, at the same time, I felt, and 

 still feel, as grateful as if I had borrowed the money. 

 I do not find any letters on the subject, and doubtless 

 have destroyed them. I find one letter, however, written 

 February 23rd, 1870 (a year before the publication was 

 commenced), in which he says : ' I would offer, if not 

 interfering with your plans, to share some of the expenses 

 of publication, plates, etc. If you accept my offer, I 

 should not for an instant think of interfering with your 

 ideas on the management or form of the publication, or 

 be in any way offended or hurt if you decline my offer.' ' 



