From William Brockie to William Kemp   8 June [1843]

Dear Sir

I received both yours & was highly delighted with the account & drawings of the Plants. I am not a Botanist so cannot say much as to their species but I think I know a plant exceedingly like No l— I forget its name but it grows among corn & new grass— However it most likely will turn out quite a different plant— I hope they are continuing to thrive & that they will come to maturity. They will now be past the worst. Old seed is sometimes apt to die after it germinates but there can be little fear I think after they have got the broad leaf— I have no doubt they will create very great interest in the philosophical world—& perhaps they will afford a clue both to some mysteries in geology & disputed questions in the climatology of our island— I have made pretty free with the Paper on Spontaneous Combustion—I am afraid too free—but I know when you sent it you wished me to use my discretion fully— The principal alteration is from the first person plural to the singular—as the paper is in the form of a letter “I” is the proper expression—the “We” being editorial as you very well know.— I hope your paper will do good—it is sensible practical & keeps to the point. So far from making an excuse for writing I am only sorry that you write far too little. You ought to put your knowledge & sentiments on paper on every subject you think at all interesting— you write always what you have observed or studied & therefore understand, & so your writing is always plain and perspicuous although you may not turn your sentences quite in a Johnsonian style. But style is after all a secondary thing—the great object of all writing being to convey information. Few newspaper—correspondents write good grammar—however I must say I have never the same pleasure in reading an ungrammatical paragraph as one that is scientifically rounded, & if I can in any degree assist you in mending the phraseology of your writings, I do assure you that I shall always do so with much pleasure, being far more than repaid by the information derived from your correspondence. I expect to be in Galashiels soon, as my father’s family are come to live there now—& I will make it my endeavour to see you— I am very busy & very happy—

Yours truly | Will^m Brockie