I return your two lists marked.[[96]] What you want is a set of cases with models and figures such as Mr. Mosley arranged for Kew. I told him he ought not to sell at as low a rate as he at first proposed, but I think that if strong card boxes were substituted for the nicely-finished mahogany ones, he could certainly let you have the cases at 7s. 6d. If you do not wish to open the cases (excepting for very special work), the board on which the exhibits are fixed might be fastened from below, and thus the cost of the beautiful work of one half sliding perfectly into the other half of the box saved.
July 21, 1890.
I was lately down for a few days at Oxford, and took the opportunity of asking Professor Westwood whether, if you arranged to have a course of entomological lectures, and asked him to deliver them, there was any chance of his granting such a favour? I thought it was too much to hope for, but I gained his permission that you might write to him on the subject, and I really think that if it were so early that there was no fear of cold setting in, he would very likely undertake the set. Professor Westwood is, as Professor Riley well says, the “Prince of entomologists.” I do not suppose any one living has such knowledge extending over all branches of entomology as he has. He is the Hope Professor of Zoology at Oxford, so constantly in practice of lecturing on his own special subject, and very fond of making things clear to young people. He has attended greatly to the economic aspect, and if you could secure him, his lectures as the commencement of the Agriculture Entomological course would give an éclat to the series that nothing else in the whole world would. To say he is Life President of the Entomological Society shows the respect he is held in on all hands. But you would have to be very careful of the good old man, for he never thinks of his 82 or 83 years, and he is not strong, though much more full of spirit than many a younger man. His address is: Professor J. O. Westwood, Walton Manor, Woodstock-road, Oxford. If you write to him he will think it over and tell you his views.
July 7, 1891.
It is very kind of you to give me the copy (received this morning) of your beautiful and so very useful book. [“Agriculture and Rural Economy of Australia and New Zealand.”] I have been turning over a good many pages so as to have some idea of the contents before writing to thank you, and I cannot think how you could manage to collect all this very serviceable information there, or find time to condense it into this clear, readable form here. It is a very valuable addition to my library, and I value it much for its own worth, as well as your kind gift. How very honestly indeed you have acknowledged my little Cockchafer block; it is quite a pleasure to me to have it in your grand book.
I hope you have escaped the influenza, or had it favourably. It has been a serious visitation to us. My sister and I, and our housekeeper, Miss Hartwell, who acts as my amanuensis, were all seriously laid up in our beds at once! Such a time of misery, and inconvenience! I should like to write you about sundry matters of interest, but as very likely you are on the other side of the world, I had better postpone them.
Somewhat Private.
August 18, 1892.
I am very sorry to hear of your trouble in the loss of your brother,[[97]] and with your grief, and also the effects of the long hard run of work, you must be greatly needing a rest.
I hope and greatly desire to continue all my work, Home, Colonial, and publishing; also to act as referee to our Agricultural Journals just as before, but it is much more comfortable working up important points, to having everlastingly to be going over a routine often keeping one from attending to what may be of importance. Who will they get to take my place [at the Royal]? It seems to me a great pity that there is not a properly paid and competent officer for the Board of Agriculture and R.A.S.E. I am safe in saying this, for I never intend to take office again, not for any amount of money that could be offered, neither do I mean to do the work of Government or Society under the polite name of “kindly co-operating!”