86 
But it seems only just to place some account of the work in which 
they perished on record. If Kew sent them to Africa where they 
met their death in the attempt to do something to extend the resources 
of the empire, it may at least rescue their names and memory from 
complete oblivion. 
'The letters printed below were, as will be seen, not in any way official 
but were addressed to former fellow gardeners at Kew. They are 
interesting as showing the type of men that the Royal Gardens turn 
out; the ‘plu cky way in which they face their difficulties, their loyalty 
to their employers, and the kindly feeling they entertain towards Kew. 
Beyond the omission of purely private matters, the letters have not 
been edited in any way 
RoyaL Niger Company to ROYAL GARDENS, Krew. 
Surrey House, b eis D eue W.C., 
Dear Sin, 24 Jan 
Some time ago you thought you might S able to find for us an 
шн young gardener who would be willing to go out to the Niger 
territories to take charge of the botanical work at Asaba. We have, 
during si «ёк ; year, made as considerable progress as could be expected 
ithout the assistance of a trained gardener. If you could now recom- 
Asaba, where there are a considerable number of Europeans, as it is the 
seat of the Supreme Court of the territories, and also the x heed quarton 
of the constabulary force, which is officered by Euro It is re- 
puted to be one of the healthiest places in the Niger territories, so that 
any candidate for the post should be informed that the climate is entirely 
different to that of the swamps of [p West 
m, &c. 
(Signed) M GEORGE TAUBMAN GOLDIE. 
D. Morris, Esq., M.A., F.L.S. 
Royat Nicer Company to Roya, GaRDENS, Krw. 
Surrey House, pitis Embankment, W.C., 
My pear Sir, 1 July 1889. 
Mr. Той Dyer and you wil be glad to hear that Wood- 
ruff is getting on capitally at Asaba, and seems to take great interest in 
his work. Do you think you could find us a second man of about the 
same calibre? We should be so greatly obliged if you could. 
Isend you a copy of our annual report to our shareholders, so that 
Mr. Thiseiton Dyer may see that we — not forgotten to make our 
acknowledgments to him for his T 
maa 
(Signi) "5 GkonGE TAUBMAN GOLDIE. 
D. Morris, Esq, M.A., F.L 
EXTRACT ge tes Annual Report of the Royal e Company 
e Year ending 31st December 1888. 
Wiru =s wae assistance of Mr. Thiselton Dyer, Director of the 
al ns at Kew, the Council have established a public botanical 
plantation, о on asmall scale, at Asaba, where experiments in the com- 
mercial botany of the territories are conducted, and from which it is 
