My dear F.

I am going to beg a favour of you, which I am sure you will wish to grant, but it may not be in your power.— D^r H. came here shortly after the death of his wife,² & said that he was so overworked at Kew, by correspondence & [demands] independently of the [ordinary] work that if the G. would not appoint an assistant secretary to the Institution; he w^d retire & this w^d be a fearful loss to science. His wife was able to compose letters from his verbal instructions & now all that is over. H. has long paid for a private sec. out of his own salary but he has resigned.³ I asked him to give me some idea of what his extra work was, & a copy of his application to the Government, which I enclose & hope you will read.⁴

For it has occurred to me that you might interest Sir S. Northcote⁵ on the subject; but pray believe me, I mean only in so far as getting him to consider the case himself, & not to throw it over to some subordinate. This is all that Hooker desires, but it was my thought to trouble you.— I sh^d add that H. has received a hint the G. would perhaps increase his salary so that he w^d have to pay a P. S. but that w^d not suit his views: he thinks it necessary to get some good botanist who w^d not accept a temporary appointment; & he thinks it most desirable that there sh^d be some one at Kew who could carry on the [business] for a time, in case of his illness or [departure].— If you can give any aid, you will do a good service toward an excellent man & to Science anyhow I hope that you will forgive me thus troubling you. Truly [illeg] [yours ever—]

T. H. Farrer | Nov 29