3 o4 LIFE AT down. .etat. 33-45. [1845. 



is something so chilling in a separation of so many hundred 

 miles, though we did not see much of each other when nearer. 

 You will hardly believe how deeply I regret for myself your 

 present prospects. I had looked forward to [our] seeing 

 much of each other during our lives. It is a heavy disap- 

 pointment ; and in a mere selfish point of view, as aiding me 

 in my work, your loss is indeed irreparable. But, on the 

 other hand, I cannot doubt that you take at present a de- 

 sponding, instead of bright, view of your prospects : surely 

 there are great advantages, as well as disadvantages. The 

 place is one of eminence ; and really it appears to me there 

 are so many indifferent workers, and so few readers, that it 

 is a high advantage, in a purely scientific point of view, for a 

 good worker to hold a position which leads others to attend 

 to his work. I forget whether you attended Edinburgh, as a 

 student, but in my time there was a knot of men who were 

 far from being the indifferent and dull listeners which you 

 expect for your audience. Reflect what a satisfaction and 

 honour it would be to make a good botanist — with your dis- 

 position you will be to many what Henslow was at Cambridge 

 to me and others, a most kind friend and guide. Then what 

 a fine garden, and how good a Public Library ! why, Forbes 

 always regrets the advantages of Edinburgh for work : think 

 of the inestimable advantage of getting within a short walk of 

 those noble rocks and hills and sandy shores near Edinburgh ! 

 Indeed, I cannot pity you much, though I pity myself ex- 

 ceedingly in your loss. Surely lecturing will, in a year or 

 two, with your great capacity for work (whatever you may be 

 pleased to say to the contrary) become easy, and you will 

 have a fair time for your Antarctic Flora and general views 

 of distribution. If I thought your Professorship would stop 

 your work, I should wish it and all the good worldly conse- 

 quences at el Diavolo. I know I shall live to see you the 

 first authority in Europe on that grand subject, that almost 

 keystone of the laws of creation, Geographical Distribution. 

 Well, there is one comfort, you will be at Kew, no doubt, 

 every year, so I shall finish by forcing down your throat my 



