From Maxwell Masters to Joseph Hooker   8 March 1888

The Gardeners' Chronicle Office,

41, Wellington Street, Strand, W.C.

Telegrams

"Gardchron," London.

London March 8, 1888.

Private

My dear Sir Joseph

Can anything be done for Ferd. V. Mueller and the Royal Medal? He is burning with desire to get it and writes to me frequently about it always Confidentially and sometimes with adjurations as to secrecy as fervent as those which Shakespeare used with reference to his bones but I find it is no secret and that he has written to Sir Henry Barkly, Sclater¹ & others presumably in the same terms — and hence I feel no longer any compunction in writing to you to ask you opinion — I have told him that I am not on the Council and have no influence at all in such matters, but that does not prevent him from writing about it almost by every mail

He has certainly deserved well not only on botanical but on geographical grounds but it is not for me to weigh his merits. It would relieve me a little bit if you had time and inclination to tell me in confidence what you think, but do not trouble to reply to this if in any way inconvenient. I shall understand²

faithfully yrs

Maxwell T. Masters