The late Mr. William Griffith. 301 



science. To obtain that certainty, and without the risk of loss to 

 his friends and family, the journal affords a medium. True it may 

 not give them so wide a circulation as they merit, but still they 

 are secured in the first instance, and if it is found that there is a de- 

 mand for them after, his whole works could be collected and printed 

 in a distinct form. 



"My advice then is, decidedly to continue the journal for the pre- 

 sent, even in the event of its being found that the whole of his 

 papers are not intrusted to our joint care. If they are, there can be 

 no doubt, in my mind, of the propriety of carrying on the journal; if 

 they are not, then between Mr. Gardner and myself we will easily 

 keep up its character as a Botanical periodical for at least another 

 year. If the papers are intrusted to our care, immediate steps must 

 be taken for their publication, as things of that kind don't keep ; other 

 labourers are at work in the same field, and unless we at once com- 

 mence the business, much will be lost. Acting on this principle, 

 you ought, if we are to have the publication of them, to advertise in 

 the forthcoming number, that the publication of the late Mr. 

 Griffith's papers is to be immediately commenced in the journal, and 

 will be continued through successive numbers until the whole are 

 printed. As regards my co-operation, use my name in the way you 

 may think most advantageous with reference to both the journal 

 and MSS. 



" Should further funds be wanted, I shall gladly help to the extent 

 of 500 rupees in successive portions, or in getting his drawings 

 printed." 



From the same, dated Ootacamond, 4th May 1845. " I shall endea- 

 vour in this letter to keep as close to the subject as possible in 

 offering suggestions for carrying out what was evidently to the last 

 uppermost in his mind ; namely, the proper preservation and dispos- 

 al of his collections, manuscripts, and drawings, so as to insure 

 their being rendered as much as possible available to the advancement 

 of the science of which he was such an enlightened and untiring culti- 

 vator. Towards accomplishing the wish expressed in the following 

 words of his last letter, preservation is the first and grand object, 

 publicity the next. ' As you know the trouble I have taken with 



