THE STORY OF THE GARDENS 109 



still dotted about the grounds, now laid out on a 

 principle of compromise with formality, " the aim 

 being to weave the various collections of trees 

 and shrubs into a whole, which should avoid an 

 artificial and yet yield an agreeable effect, while 

 still subserving a definite purpose." 



In 1865, Sir W. J. Hooker was succeeded by 

 Sir J. D. Hooker, who in his younger days had 

 made adventurous journeys to the Himalayas 

 and elsewhere in the interest of botanical science. 

 He still lives at a good old age, after twenty 

 years' service having given place to his son-in- 

 law, Sir W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, who also has 

 gone on the emeritus list ; and the present head 

 is Colonel Prain, whose experience in India 

 should give a new strain of efficiency. 



Sir Joseph Hooker's management was marked 

 by a vehement quarrel between him and his 

 official superior, Mr. Ayrton, head of the Board 

 of Works, a Kew man by birth, who perhaps 

 for that reason felt himself the more moved 

 to aggressive interference. The scientific world 

 warmly took up the cause of its confrere ; and 

 Ayrton earned general unpopularity by his over- 

 bearing tone ; but Sir Algernon West, then 

 Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, Glad- 



