336 A DECADE OF WORK AT HOME. [1845, 



something must be done, and I will see if we can't 

 have a very popular, and at the same time a pretty 

 good book. 



George ^ sends his warm regards. 



21st November, 1845. 



I have driven Oakes so absolutely into a corner 

 that I think he will work for once. The man's prepa- 

 rations and materials are enormous ! and for his sake 

 I hope he will. If he does not, I shall know in time, 

 — that is, as soon as I can use the knowledge, — and 

 then the plan may take such form as may be deemed 

 best. I shoidd then wish to make it more absolutely a 

 supplement of " Botanical Text-Book ; " but only for 

 the proper North. In the way in which it would then 

 be done, with Persoonish ^ comj^actness and brevity, 

 I doubt if you would care to engage in it. As soon 

 as we can get out the proper Botany of the United 

 States, I should wish it to supersede this to a great 

 extent. In my hands, I would sell it so cheaply as to 

 make very little, except as it promotes the sale of the 

 " Botanical Text^Book." I would sell the " Text-Book " 

 with it for $2, or less even. The great object is to 

 keej) the ground clear by running an uncompromising 

 opposition against the threatening interlopers. 



My lectures are to commence January 13th. 



TO J. D. HOOKER. 



Cambkidge, 81st December, 1845. 



I was much pleased to receive your pleasant letter 

 of the 29th October last, and I read with interest the 

 account of the debate on the occasion of the election 



^ His brotber, then living with him in Cambridge to enter Harvard. 



2 Christian Hendrik Persoon, 1755-1838 ; a botanist at the Cape 



of Good Hope. Died in Paris at a very advanced age. Fungologist. 



