modesty, at least in correspondence; and there is something high-minded
in his determination not to receive money from me. I shall ask him
whether he can get a good character for probity and sobriety, and
whether he can get aid from his relations for his voyage out. I will
help, and, if necessary, pay the whole voyage, and give him enough to
support him for some weeks at Calcutta. I will write when I hear from
him. God bless you; you, who are so overworked, are most generous to
take so much trouble about a man you have had nothing to do with.

(656/1. Scott had left the Botanic Gardens at Edinburgh in March 1864,
chagrined at what, justly or unjustly, he considered discouragement and
slight. The Indian offer was most gladly and gratefully accepted.)

LETTER 657. TO J. SCOTT. Down, November 1st, 1871.

Dr. Hooker has forwarded to me your letter as the best and simplest plan
of explaining affairs. I am sincerely grieved to hear of the pecuniary
problem which you have undergone, but now fortunately passed. I assure
you that I have never entertained any feelings in regard to you which
you suppose. Please to remember that I distinctly stated that I did not
consider the sum which I advanced as a loan, but as a gift; and surely
there is nothing discreditable to you, under the circumstances, in
receiving a gift from a rich man, as I am. Therefore I earnestly beg
you to banish the whole subject from your mind, and begin laying up
something for yourself in the future. I really cannot break my word and
accept payment. Pray do not rob me of my small share in the credit of
aiding to put the right man in the right place. You have done good work,
and I am sure will do more; so let us never mention the subject again.

I am, after many interruptions, at work again on my essay on Expression,
which was written out once many months ago. I have found your remarks
the best of all which have been sent me, and so I state.

CHAPTER 2.XI.--BOTANY, 1863-1881.

2.XI.I. Miscellaneous, 1863-1866.--2.XI.II. Correspondence with Fritz
Muller, 1865-1881.--2.XI.III. Miscellaneous, 1868-1881.

2.XI.I. MISCELLANEOUS, 1863-1866.

LETTER 658. TO D. OLIVER. Down [April, 1863].

(658/1. The following letter illustrates the truth of Sir W.
Thiselton-Dyer's remark that Darwin was never "afraid of his facts."
(658/2. "Charles Darwin" (Nature Series), 1882, page 43.) The entrance
of pollen-tubes into the nucellus by the chalaza, instead of throu