From William Wilson   10 February 1831

My dear Sir

Estimating, as you do, your own feelings by my own, I do not so much wonder at the anxiety you manifest not to be wanting in your endeavours to make corresponding returns to your botanical contributors, but indeed I did not think that I had succeeded in thus overburthening you– I am glad however that you do not find me on the wrong side; especially as the correspondence between us was of my own seeking– With regard to your botanical favours I need not remind you that I have always been disposed to view them as a free gift; not as a requital: let me therefore beg you to consult your own convenience in imparting them– Since our acquaintance began, my views have indeed been considerably extended, and the indifference which I then felt as to receiving dried specimens, is now removed– I am willing now to know a plant by \in/ a dried state, without first going to gather it myself –

The packet of dried plants just received \from you/ (for I only returned home last week) did not need to be accompanied by an apology for not being more extensive– I am much gratified with its contents– Perhaps you may have opportunity to gather me two or three good specimens of Thesium linophyllum– I have only one in a flowering state, and that such an one as you yourself thought very inferior– It came in your first parcel– As it is a small plant & grows near you, I may venture to ask for more than one, and I like to supply & be supplied plentifully, when it can be done without much extra labour. Many an erroneous description in botanical works, might be traced to a servile attention to a solitary & inadequate specimen– Who can pretend to describe the Rubi or Rosae in this way? – Were duplicate specimens to be cut & dried, tho’ from the same bush, and a single one given to each of two botanists, who should not communicate together; a strange confusion would appear on comparison of their specific characters– would not this be a good test of the value of those distinctions which are at present admitted? –

Your parcel fell into the hands of a Major Wilson, resident near Warrington, calling himself a Gentleman & a Soldier– He was (when the parcel arrived in Warrington) absent on business near Sheffield & my parcel, tho’ plainly directed, was forwarded to him, by his orders, as one which he was expecting to receive– He opened & kept it till his return to Warrington & modestly required, before giving it up, to have repaid to him the money laid out for its carriage from Warrington to Sheffield! – At length he was induced to replace it in the coach office, but still with the same demand & accompanied by a note to me in which he gives himself credit for having done “ a good natured act” by bringing it to Warrington, gratis, & keeping it by him till then– Was there ever such another narrow minded Gentleman; or, if there was – any Gentleman who would so candidly proclaim his own disgrace? – Of course I got the parcel without paying the additional charge, but also without any apology for its detention– Had you not better address in future, M. ^r W. Wilson? – for the Major seems to think there should be no Esquires near Warrington but himself of that name; and in truth I think he is right– proceri cedunt majori–

You have sent me Rosa systyla marked R. Forsteri– I believe I have sent you specimens, rightly named, of R. Forsteri, and do not know whether your misnomer be inadvertently or deliberately committed; but I find it repeated in M. ^r Roberts’ parcel, which was opened last week by Mr Roberts who spent a night at our house– The mistake therefore, being liable to be repeated in other instances, cannot be too soon corrected–

I have a few good things to send you; but they are not enough for a parcel: such as Elatine Hydropiper & hexandra– Hypnum blandina in fruit & Dicranum squarrosum also in fruit– I have Gymnostomum wilsoni now in cultivation, and it is likely soon to cover a great Space; for it extends rapidly by the roots, and appears to be of perennial growth– It was planted between Bricks, in March last, & now, on my return, I find a thick harvest of capsules, just ripened & the lids mostly fallen off: its characters apparently unaltered: but this you will say proves nothing, & I only admit it as negative evidence against the assertion of any who would say cultivation might reduce it to the form of G. truncatulum: but as it is difficult to suppose hybrid mosses to exist, we must reason from different data than those on which you would explain ( & I think with good reason) the transition of phenogamous plants out of one form into another– I am sorry that my pursuits and enjoyments do not permit me to cooperate with you in experiments relating to this enquiry–

M ^r Roberts joins me in kind remembrance to you & good wishes– I shall be happy to hear from you at all times–

Believe me | Rev. ^d & dear Sir | very truly yours | W. Wilson