50 LIFE OF 



attendra votre reponse pour entreprendre son travail. Je serois 

 de ma part charm e de voir reunis des memoires d'un si grand 

 interet, et qui sont a-present dans des collections si volumi- 

 neuses, et qu'on n'a pas toujours sous la main. 



" Recevez, mon cher Monsieur et collegue, Fexpression de 

 la haute et sincere consideration avec laquelle je suis votre 

 humble et devoue serviteur, 



"DE CANDOLLE*." 



The letters which have been hitherto introduced into this 

 memoir, have shown the kind and friendly intercourse which 

 existed between Mr. Knight and some of the first philosophers 

 of his age. In order to do full justice, however, to the kind- 

 ness of his heart, we trust to be excused for exhibiting his 

 character as a parent, by introducing the following specimens 

 of his correspondence with his children ; which will show how 

 vivid even in advanced age was his sympathy in the sufferings 

 or happiness of others, and how unabated the warmth of his 

 affections. 



* " MY DEAR SIR, 



" A man whom you perhaps know by reputation, M. le Baron Creed, (who 

 has translated into French the work of Thaer), is going to pass the winter in 

 the country, and being desirous to employ the long winter evenings in some 

 useful occupation, he has come to me to request me to point out to him some 

 work to translate. I have proposed to him to translate, and to unite in one 

 volume, your various papers on vegetable physiology and horticulture. He ap- 

 proves this plan ; but before executing it, I have undertaken to write to you, to 

 ask, first, if this combination of your different papers into one work would be 

 disagreeable to you, and if you give your consent ; secondly, if you would 

 send a complete list of your papers, that we may not risk omitting any ; and 

 thirdly, that if you have any additions or corrections to make to any of them, 

 he may add them in your name ; and fourthly, if you will allow him to 

 correspond with you during his labours, in case he should require any explana- 

 tions. He will wait your answer to begin his work. For my own part, I shall 

 be charmed to see combined together papers of such great interest, and which 

 at present are scattered among works so voluminous, that one has them not 

 always at hand. Receive, dear sir and colleague, the expression of the high 

 and sincere consideration with which I am your humble and devoted servant, 



" DE CANDOLLE." 



