London
27 Feb. 1833
Dear Sir
The difficulty which you complain of, <1> of getting any bookseller to publish a scientific work on Botany is not confined to that science. I know that no support could be obtained for a very valuable miscellaneous periodical in a branch of study to which I am much attached, the Antiquities of our own Country.
Abroad, not only is paper & printing cheaper, but assistance is rendered by the Governments.
In my opinion public libraries ought to be established in all our principal Towns at the national expense. A considerable sum should be voted annually for the encouragement of Science, which should be in part expended in patronizing literary undertakings of merit. From 20 to 50 copies of such works should be purchased by government & distributed to these provincial libraries, which small at first, would soon become important.
I do not know what attention the present parliament would be disposed to give to such a plan. Any such idea runs great risk of being at once met and overborne by a senseless cry of economy.
I shall take an early opportunity of paying to your account the sum <2> you were so good as to disburse on my account for the N. Orleans plants. I am sorry the bulb <3> which is growing so freely with me, should prove to be a known species. I was in hopes it was new. I possess a small collection of S. American ferns bought at an auction. I would be much obliged to you to name them for me, & if it is not too much trouble I would send you the parcel for that purpose, if it could be done at small expense, which of course I should wish to defray myself.
I hope you will send me the list of N. Orleans plants <4> when printed. My Alabama plants are not numbered or ticketed. How shall I ever be able to identify them? I do not wish for the Louisiana seeds <5> you mention because I am going abroad this summer, & shall not be able therefore to superintend their cultivation: I suppose if I were to send the Glasgow garden <6> a few Calabrian seeds, <7> you would be able to figure anything that turned out remarkable among them. If so, I will select some & send them to you.
Believe me Most truly yours
H. F. Talbot
1833 London February twenty seven H. F. Talbot
Professor W. J. Hooker
University
Glasgow
Notes:
1. See Doc. No: 02607, to which this is the reply.
2. See Doc. No: 02607.
3. See Doc. No: 02607.
4. See Doc. No: 02607.
5. See Doc. No: 02607.
6. The Glasgow Botanic Garden.
7. See Doc. No: 02607.