Showing 1–14 of 14 items
Proposes to support John Scott in research on relative fertility and self-incompatibility of plants. CD would pay him for a year or two but wants JDH to give him research facilities at Kew.
JDH explains why he cannot take Scott on at Kew.
John Tyndall cannot answer CD’s questions on glaciers. Edward Frankland’s ignorance. In JDH’s opinion, heaviness of winter snowfall is the greatest element in size of glaciers and this is a function of low mean temperature. Discusses descent of glaciers.
JDH has written to J. H. Balfour for a character reference for John Scott.
Sees difficulty of placing Scott at Kew. Suspects Balfour is prejudiced because Scott is a Darwinian.
CD’s former letter on Clematis [4403] blundered; work now being revised.
J. H. Balfour gives Scott excellent character reference, but says he is unfit either to superintend or be subordinate.
Herbert Spencer’s review of J. M. Schleiden is interesting [see 4457].
CD apologises for having asked JDH to help him with Scott and now seeks advice on how to break the news.
Men of Scott’s Celtic temperament are very troublesome. Tries to dissuade CD from hiring him as a scientific gardener.
George Rolleston, not Spencer, wrote review of Schleiden [Nat. Hist. Rev. (1864): 187–99].
CD has told Scott not to hope for help from JDH.
Health improving.
Hopes to write Lythrum paper soon.
Another plea to take Scott on at Kew. Emma begs CD not to employ him at Down.
Has just received a long article on the Origin from D. J. Brown, an Edinburgh baker [see 4464].
Again refuses to help Scott as "unfitted" to make his way in the world. Scott is unwilling to take his part in the "struggle for life", unlike Tyndall, Faraday, Huxley, and Lindley, who established themselves. Scott’s work is not science, but "scientific horticulture".
CD thinks JDH takes a hard view of Scott’s character, but will not argue further.
Leersia.
Working on homomorphic and heteromorphic crosses in Primula.
JDH on John Scott.
Curious about the rationale of pollen prepotence.
Working on variation in New Zealand flora.
Emma prepares JDH for his visit to Wedgwood factory and Barlaston.
Forwards a letter from H. W. Bates to JDH announcing HWB’s appointment as Assistant Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society.
