106 MEMOIR OF DR. HARVEY. 



rose-wood table, while the old walls shine with satin paper, and 

 the light comes in through draperies of crimson and book- 

 muslin. The maps of course have given place to gold-framed 

 pictures, and the high old-fashioned chimney-piece is replaced 

 by a modern structure of white marble. Now these are all, I 

 allow, improvements ; they show the progress of the world, and I 

 don't object to them — nay, I like finery myself — but they are not 

 part and parcel of my old home, of which you write, therefore I 

 do not wonder at your not recognizing its features. If I were to 

 see your fat boy now in petticoats, and lose sight of him till he 

 appeared in all the plenitude of whiskers, and in the newest cut 

 of the fashion, the identity of the two beings would seem strange. 

 James Backhouse is now here on his way home. He is an ardent 

 botanist, and quite vivacious on the Flora and Zoology of the 

 countries he has visited. I hope to have him on the top of Table 

 Mountain before long." 



Mr. Harvey passed through the Cape summer of 1837 without 

 any great injury to his health, but in that of 1838 it was other- 

 wise. His botanical ardour had revived, and had stimulated 

 him to publish his "Genera of South African Plants," a work 

 that entailed a vast amount of labour, which, added to his hours 

 of duty at the Treasury, could only be accomplished by close 

 application ; fatiguing walks of miles in search of plants being his 

 only relaxation. He worked on, however, under failing health, 

 hoping when his task was finished that he should be able to 

 enjoy the refreshment of a trip for a few weeks to the interior, 

 but the pressure of business was such at the time, owing to the 

 political state of the colony, that he was obliged to forego the 

 indulgence. The arrival of Captain Stockenstrom at Cape Town 

 just then occasioned much excitement, and Mr. Harvey warmly 

 entered into his cause. JSoon after this event he was obliged to 

 succumb to illness and seek leave of absence for a voyage home, 

 which soon effected a favourable change. He landed in England 

 thin and worn, and his energy and spirits much prostrated, but 

 his native air and the presence of the loved home circle soon re- 

 stored him to his usual health. 



The editor will conclude this year with a letter, relative to 

 Mr. Backhouse, whose visit to Cape Town afforded Mr. Harvey 

 much gratification. 



