TALBOT3653

Glasgow.

March. April 10^th
1838.

My dear Sir

I am extremely obliged to you for so kindly recommending me to Lord Lansdown ¹ in connection with the subject of Kew Gardens. ² The matter has been much on my mind ever since, & the Duke of Bedford ³ has just me [sic] in confidence with M^r Edw^d Ellice, ⁴ one of the Commissioners for Kew. His letter to me I wish you to see, because you will be able to suggest some measures perhaps which if followed up may induce Ministers to resolve upon renovating Kew Gardens. Have the kindness however to return the letter of M^r Ellice to me when you have done with it. You will see that gentleman suggests that the Colleges should send a representation to Parliament. But in the first place they are very difficult bodies to move & in the 2^d they are not what are most interested in the matter. Our Colleges have Gardens of their own, which suffice for their wants. It strikes me that it is the public generally throughout the kingdom who are interested in such an establishment; & that, if such representations as M^r Ellice alludes to, are at all required they should come in the first place from the Noblemen & gentlemen of good family connections who have encouraged Botany & Horticulture & secondly from the public Hort^l & Botanical establishments throughout the kingdom. But it would be a work of time before such applications could be made, & in the mean while Gov^t may have come to a decision to abandon the Gardens altogether. I fear nothing could be done in such a case unless some active influential person in London would interest himself in it & be a medium of communication with government. Pray tell me what you think is best to be done. I am rather inclined to think that if such men as the Duke of Bedford (who is unfortunately now at Nice, but who has written to Lord John Russell ⁵ & others in strong terms) the D. of Devonshire, ⁶ L^d Fitzwilliam, ⁷ Campbell of Islay, ⁸ Herbert of Spofforth, ⁹ Mr Strangways ¹⁰ & yourself would state you opinions respecting the Garden to Ministers, the thing would be accomplished. It is true as you say the Ministry is very much taken up with politics & if the friends of Horticulture do not soon come forward I fear Kew will be sacrificed.

Believe me, Very faithfully Yours,
W. J. Hooker.