Chronicle," November 17th, 1855, page 758.) I do not go the whole
hog--viz., that sixty and two thousand years are all the same, for I
should imagine that some slight chemical change was always going on in a
seed. Is this not so? The discussions have stirred me up to send my very
small case of the charlock; but as it required some space to give all
details, perhaps Lindley will not insert; and if he does, you, you worse
than an unbelieving dog, will not, I know, believe. The reason I do
not care to try Mr. Bentham's plan is that I think it would be very
troublesome, and it would not, if I did not find seed, convince me
myself that none were in the earth, for I have found in my salting
experiments that the earth clings to the seeds, and the seeds are very
difficult to find. Whether washing would do I know not; a gold-washer
would succeed, I daresay.

LETTER 580. TO W.J. HOOKER.

Testimonial from Charles Darwin, Esq., M.A., F.R.S. and G.S., late
Naturalist to Captain Fitz-Roy's Voyage.

Down House, Farnborough, August 25th, 1845.

I have heard with much interest that your son, Dr. Hooker, is a
candidate for the Botanical Chair at Edinburgh. From my former
attendance at that University, I am aware how important a post it is for
the advancement of science, and I am therefore the more anxious for your
son's success, from my firm belief that no one will fulfil its duties
with greater zeal or ability. Since his return from the famous Antarctic
expedition, I have had, as you are aware, much communication with him,
with respect to the collections brought home by myself, and on other
scientific subjects; and I cannot express too strongly my admiration
at the accuracy of his varied knowledge, and at his powers of
generalisation. From Dr. Hooker's disposition, no one, in my opinion,
is more fitted to communicate to beginners a strong taste for those
pursuits to which he is himself so ardently devoted. For the sake of
the advancement of Botany in all its branches, your son has my warmest
wishes for his success.

LETTER 581. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, Thursday [June 11th, 1847].

Many thanks for your kindness about the lodgings--it will be of great
use to me. (581/1. The British Association met at Oxford in 1847.)
Please let me know the address if Mr. Jacobson succeeds, for I think I
shall go on the 22nd and write previously to my lodgings. I have since
had a tempting invitation from Daubeny to meet Henslow, etc., but upon
the