Colenso’s collections

And though (as folks say) “I am a wonder to my age” – 85, yet, I tell them, the Co. of Sappers and Miners are closely at work, tho’ not seen at surface till the time. However, I am keeping pretty well, notwithstanding daily Rheumatism, which often evokes a jolly loud grunt. Our Bp. & Dean too, being absent from N.; on Sunday last I had 2 whole Ch. S. to perform, Eng. at Cathedral, Eng. at St. Augustines and got through both – but very tired (I never read a serm. – could not do it). I have not been out of my hermitage for this summer season (not since May last). Hope you & yours are all well: two delightful photos, lately to hand of your 2 sons, greatly admired here by my visitors: thanks to you & kind Lady Hooker. Make my very best respects to her, & kind regards to all, and believe me,

My dear old & esteemed friend,

Yours affectionately,

W. Colenso.

_______________________________________________

2 June 1896³³³

Dannevirke, in the forests,

80m. S. from Napier;-

June 2/96.

My very dear Ever remembered old Friend, ––

Often, very often of late have I desired to write to you – in reply to your most welcome letter of March 2/96, – received by me on 16^th April, – but have been as often hindered – so many cross & counter currents prevailing. I came to this place on 15^th May (for my annual Xmas. or Summer holiday – till then blocked!) bringing your letter (also, Lady Hooker’s and others with me) hoping to answer leisurely from these forest fortresses.

Not having been in these parts since May/95, I have had several small 1-2 days journeys to make, N. and S., since I came hither – but now am free – for a short season! and so scrawl to you.

First then, many thanks to you (and also to Lady Hooker – fearing I may not be able to write to her also by this mail) for all you have sent me. Letters and photos., eh! I do feel indebted greatly to you both. I rejoice to hear of your good health – of your daily labour! and of your advancing w. your opus magnum (Fl. Indica) – which, may you, ere long, finish, & then rest from such labours!

I am also delighted in knowing from you of your getting on so well w. Banks’ Jl. and in your having such an able coadjutor in your own son Reginald – my best regards to him. Tell him to imitate his Father, keep up the name of Hooker ever & not to mind hard work. It has been my lot (also yours) and I feel thankful for it. More of Banks anon.

With you, I regret Banks did not accompany Cook on his 2^nd voyage. I think I have already told you, how much I like “Forsters Voyage”, (2 vols. 4to.) and “Observations” (additional 2 vols. 4 to) many excellent thoughts, too, scattered throughout those 4 vols. of pater et fil. I have not met w. “the last life of Cook by Besant & Dr. S.”(?) mentioned by you.

I sent you a Paper last month containing an abstract of our Society’s proceedings at Napier, (a short one, & mainly, of course in such a paper on the £.s.d. side of the matter). In my “Presidential address” (by the way a long & varied one, I mentioned you – w. much pleasure quoting what you had said re Huxley at the first Meeting of the Memorial Com. also, what Lord Kelvin & Playfair had so kindly said respecting him. I may tell you that I was induced to say more re Huxley on this occasion from the fact several clerics being present & others there – who think more of themselves and their dogmas than of Huxley! Moreover, as I also told them, Huxley was an Honorary Member of our N.Z. Institute (early elected thereto same year w. Sir G. Grey), & further (like you), had anchored in By. Islands in “Rattlesnake”, Capt. Hobson, in 1836, – I being there, – and then I had also to speak of Mantell, and of others, here, lately dead – another loss to us – last year. Profr. Parker (Dunedin) F.R.S., has called on me to assist him in obtaining subscriptions in these parts in furtherance of the Huxley Memorial – but, I fear, small support will be the result – hope Parker may be more successful down S.

I should much like for my “address” to be published, for various reasons: and so I wrote to Hector 3 wks. ago, asking him “If it could not be pubd. in the Vol. of Trans. N.Z. I. for next year”, but hitherto no reply: absit omen. I fear I have unwillingly vexed Sir James through a remonstrance of mine of last year re their (the Comee. of Governors) setting aside – or sitting on – all my papers that contain reminiscences of olden times. However, I may yet hear from him, although this last is the 3^rd letter of the last 3 months that I have written to him and not answered, neither acknowledged. I know he has been (and perhaps, is) very busy: Hector (like yourself) is always so. You, no doubt, will have had your thoughts re my offer of £1500 and a freehold site for a Museum and Library building: and to that I should also add a lot of specimens – Various, some unique! But whether such will be followed up by our Bœotian-money loving folk, is another question. I doubt it, and if so – my specimens will go elsewhere to say nothing of money – which (at present) is in land. I have had lots of praise(!) pats on back, &c, &c., but mostly from poor savants (at a distance). Buller says, “My offer is sure to be felt & followed throughout the Colony, it will stir them up.” My closing remarks re (travelling) “parsons”, has, however, given offence to the cloth! (No new thing however, on my part.)

An unexpected event has recently happened. Proofs of the 1^st part (A only) of my old Maori Lexicon have come to me here from Govt. printer! (and never paid for!!!) (copy sent in to them as ordered, in 1886). Seddon (Premier &c, &c,) had promised me, writing officially, last year, that this small portion should be done at Govt. Ptg. Office. If it cost them no more than £20 – I agreeing to pay all above that sum and since then I have had another kind letter of explanation from him showing cause of delay. I saw him too, twice last week, in our travelling by train, (S. however, in “Reserved” carriage), when his language and manner were both “A1”.

Unfortunately, I shall see no more of this work published: my memory, &c, &c, fails! However, “Est quaddam prodire tenus, si non datur ultra”:³³⁴ and small & unfinished though my tractate may be, I am thinking of dedicating it to you & to Darwin & to A. Cunningham – all of whom I have known in the flesh on the shores of N.Z.

I mention this to you w. this proviso, viz, that should you object to it, you will wire to me at once on receipt of this just one line “Colenso Napier, object, Hooker.” I will gladly repay (ere long) the cost of Cablegram.

And so you have received and read Buller’s pamphlet! which is more (the reading) than I have done & for similar reasons to your own – smallness of type and to spare my old eyes – but then I had known a little of the matter. B. has long had many enemies – in various ranks of life and very recently has been engaged in a wordy warfare in our Napier papers re that same matter: the fellow, his adversary, a low parvenu, (a fussy Maori Interpreter & advocate in their Land Courts lately created a “J.P.” – w. many other such!)

I wrote to B., to cease writing, and he has, at last, done so – perhaps only for the time. (See a letter of Buller’s in paper sent with this).

You have kindly given one much very interesting news of your dear family, all hands in your ship in Cove Sunningdale. Well: I do heartily wish them well. I sometimes indulge in a rare flight of fancy – a long one, too, far, far, away! to you & your tusculum, your beautiful “Home” & family, & your work, and your zeal & love and ability for it!! Heigh ho, What a contrast! You there – me here.

Well, I too, have Society – in my Books – and my varied work, which I also love. I have only occasionally held Church Services of late: but on 24^th ult. took two, whole duty, at Waipukurau (40 miles W.) going thither on Saty. & returning on Monday, & finished Eng. S. quite “well and hearty”, walking back to my hotel, ½ mile rough roads, carrying my own swag: and I am keeping well save a little Rheumatism at nights in bed – generally on one-under side at a time, bearable however, with now & then a British grunt! Please tell Director at Kew, I have not forgotten him, am getting ready (slowly but surely) a case for him adding mats, baskets, &c.

And now, my very dearest Friend, Good Bye.

Kindest remembrances to Lady Hooker, yourself & all at Sunningdale, from your attached

W. Colenso.

________________________________________________

19 August 1896³³⁵

Napier, New Zealand

August 19^th. 1896

Dear Mr Thiselton-Dyer,

I have this day nailed down & directed my case of long-promised lots to you! and right glad I am to have finished this long & heavy job. If I were to say, that the looking over, culling, &c of all my many scores of heterogeneous bundles and parcels of plants has taken me nearly 3 months (“off and on”) you would scarcely believe me, yet such is the case: I using my little parlour as a workshop (it being winter and my fire-place in it) and desiring my friends and visitors not to call, until I had completed my task: much, too, of it having been executed in pains from chronic Rheumation in arms & shoulders, – yet, sometimes, the determined holding-on to my work served to lessen if not to overcome pain: all this by way of prologue.

I will give you a kind of list, or rough memorandum of articles now sent. –

I Phænogams: –

1. 
   Most of those described by me in vols. of “Trans. N.Z. Institute”, a few I cannot yet find.
   
2. 
   A lot of those brought home for examination but never examined; some, I trust, may prove to be sps. novae. –
   
3. 
   A lot of Coprosmas – unexamined.
   
4. 
   All my Gahnias, – as they were collected and laid aside.
   

1. 
   several new Ferns, – described.
   
2. 
   a small lot of mosses, Hepat., Lichens, & Fungi.
   

1. 
   a plain floor mat, new, more than 45 years old.
   
2. 
   an ornamental ditto, of recent make.
   
3. 
   several ornamented baskets, various patterns, (Maori name, Kětě)
   
4. 
   small spns. of hand-made twine, nearly 60 years old, and,
   

1. 
   a parcel, containing a Chief’s first-class dress mat.
   
2. 
   a small box, containing a pair of turned wooden vases Dacrydium cupressinum,
   and her Ladyship is to select two of the baskets.
   

I have sent you all my specimens of Gahnia (in their original packets), because I was (and am) vexed; at your (assistant) stating, those spns. I had formerly sent you to be of known N.Z. species!³³⁶ It is possible, indeed likely (such being really the case), that I had not looked-out for you spns. of each species so fully described by me; and, therefore, I had determined to send you all – though I can never replace them, as the plant in these parts is exceedingly scarce, – I have not seen one for many years; all that hilly country where they were to be found having been fired (by settlers) and burnt up! I do hope, whoever may examine these specimens, that what I have written concerning them, after much study of the living plants, (“Trans. N.Z. Inst.,” vol. xviii, p.278, et seq.,) may be well-considered, particularly my note on the genus at the end.

I duly received the long List of Mosses as determined by Dr Brotherus, and was surprised to find so few new or strange ones in it. (I suppose Dr Brotherus is an expert.) But I make no remark on any – save on one species, – i.e. my Bartramia Readeriana. which Dr Brotherus says, is B. comosa. – this I venture to dispute: and I do so, because (1) I have pointed out in my description of that moss its differential characters from B. comosa, (Trans. N.Z. I. Vol. xvii, p.258,) – and (2) that at that time I was corresponding with a distinguished Muscologist residing in Australia,³³⁷ and (among others) had sent him specimens of this very same moss for his opinion on it, and he replied, that while near to (as I had said) it was specifically different from B. comosa, Mitt.

Please Mr Thiselton-Dyer, let this one Moss be closely examined for me. I think I must still have several of my described & published mosses hidden among my lots! Well: I yet hope to “try again.”

Among the Hepaticæ now sent, are a few of my described Symphyogynæ, (from my mounted spns., and therefore were forgotten, & omitted in the lot formerly sent to Kew): these, no doubt, are some of those alluded to by Stephani, when he says, “There are a number of other species published of which no specimens have been received.” (Journal Linn. Socy., vol. xxix, Botany. p.273.)

I should like for Stephani to see these. From his remark, I suppose there must also be a quantity of Hepaticæ not yet sent to you! I must have another overhaul for them: ––

In yours of Oct/95, you particularly wish for spns. of Ranunculus sychnopetala, and R. longipetiolatus, and Caltha marginata. I regret much not having been able to find the two former: I send spns. of Caltha marginata.

I am pretty certain that Mr. Baker will (again!) not allow of some of my Ferns being sp. nov. I suppose, we (two) will always be opposites. I bear in mind, however, Mr. Baker’s former errors re some of my early described ferns, (e.g. Lindsæa viridis, Polypodium sylvaticum, Dicksonia sps,&c) which he afterwards, slowly acknowledged to be valid sps. And (as I have not infrequently said, and written,) I consider my knowledge of our N.Z. ferns – fully examined in a living state – to be superior to Mr Baker’s knowledge of them from examination of them (or, it may be parts only) in a dried state at Home, – that is, in comparing them with other known N.Z. species. And, while I say this, I readily acknowledge that, as to Ferns of other countries, I know little or nothing, and am not worthy to carry Mr. Baker’s shoes in this matter. Please tell him this, with my compliments. I would rather that he too, could have condescended to read my descriptions of spns. nov., for I generally give also their differential characters from their allied species.

I regret that some of the specimens I send are very small ones; and some in an imperfect (half-rotten!) state; but they are the best I have, & in some instances all I have.

I would thank you for a brief memo of any sps. nov. One little one especially interested me: unfortunately (like too many of the Alpine plants) it came to hand in a sad state: on briefly examining it I thought it might be a species of Tapeinia, a Falkland Island & Chilian plant.

You will find one (at least) curious and unique specimen of Cord, or string, more than 60 years old! see its history, (“Trans. N.Z. Instit.” vol. xxiv, p.460): this has ever excited great interest, my little reel of it has been shown at all our Southern Exhibitions. ––

The larger strong plain floor mat, is a sample of what the Maori women used to make for the floor of their Chief’s houses – and for my own dwelling-house, and particularly for their Chapels after they had received Xy. In some of my larger Chapels these mats were more than 80 feet long, by (say) 30-40 feet wide; the Congregation sitting on the floor without raised seats. Every Monday morning the big mats were rolled carefully up; underneath them were strawed Bulrush leaves (Typha).

Here I must stop, I hope all may safely reach you. With very kind regards.

Believe me,

Yours very Sincerely.

W. Colenso.

P.S. I have directed my Agents at our port to ship the case by first good opportunity, and to send you Bill of Lading. W.C.
P.S. Sept 23^rd. Not having sealed my letter, I can now add a few words. I have been waiting to ship the said case, and only this day have succeeded, per S.S. “Hawke’s Bay”, which ship arrived here from London on the 20^th, and is to leave tomorrow. Through friends the Captain has been specially seen, who has promised that extra care, in stowing, &c., shall be taken. I have been very unwell since I wrote, which still, I regret to say, lasts.

Looking over it, I have nothing to add, save, perhaps, a few more words, by way of making more clearly my difference of opinion with Mr Baker, re some (?all!) of my described and published Ferns, – as to their being distinct species from their congeners already known. Of course, here, in the first place, much depends on what constitutes a distinct species. On this point I have no contention: but, secondly, I say, – that A. is not B. nor B., A: call them, if you prefer it, sub-species, or varieties, I shall not contend with this. Mr. Baker has gone to some trouble in publishing (Vid. “Summary of New Ferns described since 1874” (1891). Oxford: 1892) his particular views re many newly discovered Ferns, and that curtly and rather dictatorially! perhaps without once referring to their published differential chars! I have been long supported (both here & abroad), as to my reasonably having a superior knowledge of our N.Z. Ferns to Mr. Baker; possibly Mr. Baker is not fully aware of that.

Once more, my dear Sir,

Good Bye!

Yours faithfully,

W. Colenso.

Since writing my P.S. on 23^rd, I have received a letter from my Post Agents, who shipped the Case to you – containing B/L. with memo of their expenses and charges. I am surprised at their sending me B/L to forward to you, as, in my letter of instructions to them of August, I had requested them to do so, as the shippers: – I enclose it. One good thing, resulting from my knowing, and writing to, the Ship’s Agents, Messrs Williams and Kettle, about the Case, is their generously allowing it to go freight free: moreover, interesting themselves with the Captain to give the case an extra safe and good berth on board: so I hope it will reach you in “good order and condition”.

I have further written a letter of thanks to Ms. Williams & Kettle. Our outgoing English Mail via ’Frisco is about to close, so this will be with you before the “Hawke’s Bay”. Some of the baskets, or kits, were rolled up, &c, &c, by me, in packing, but being very soft & elastic they will recover their shape, &c., on being slightly damped and spread out.

Among the specimens of dried plants not named in the case, is one that gave me some little trouble (not being perfect and not indigenous) No. 7012: I think, I have very recently found it out, or its near ally, – Trifolium arvense, – though differing, I think, in its very aristate calyx, and similar stipules, with petiolulate leaflets, &c. – T. arvense, is quite unknown to me.

Once more Good Bye: ––

Yours faithy,

W. Colenso.

________________________________________________

Napier, N. Zealand,

Septr. 23^rd., 1896

My very dear old friend,

My last to you was in June: – since then no less than 3 letters from you; and all in July (viz 12^th. 17^th. 26^th.) What shall I say? Whether I consider my receipts of prizes, – or, your increase of labours thus unwittingly caused by me. Curiously enough your 2 letters of 12^th & 17^th arrived together at Napier, on 31^st August: at the time I was absent, in the Bush country, and they were forwarded to me there, and proved salutary, aye cheering! Your third reached me here on the 14^th. inst.

Imprimis: I must tell you why I have not written before: because on 19^th August I had finished my long task of filling up a big case of “all sorts” for Kew (with a trifle in it for Sunningdale): and had also written a long letter to the Director, and a letter to Lady Hooker; but I was wanting to have my case shipped; and then post my 2 letters: during which interval yours (3) arrived, and I determined that mine in reply with them should be all posted together. And I have only this day succeeded in shipping the said case in the S.S. “Hawke’s Bay”: my port agents having selected a good opportunity. May the case of sundries arrive safely! and please all parties concerned. As a matter of course I suppose you will see my letter to the Director, I hope so: and, if nothing more, spns. of my published Ferns sps. nov. Do not be greatly surprised at my remarks on Baker (Kew). I could say much more on that subject, but I refrain.

Now to your letters: re my gift to Napier, so eulogized by you – very little (I fear) has yet been done by the Settlers in that direction: Cui bono? is the common cuckoo-cry of all! – together with (I am told) a spice of jealousy. However, a move may yet be made in the proper direction, as the summer advances: the “Municipality” will do nothing (save increase Rates!) ditto ditto, the General Government. However, “bide-a-wee”: tempus revelat!.

I am glad, beyond expression, at your having, also, finished your new Banksian labour (I gather this from your last letter, in which you also sent me those admirable photos. of Banks and his Lady from old medallions! They have been, and will be, admired here. I look forward to your book with much interest. We have long had in our Society Room two good and large-size portraits of Cook, and Tasman, framed & glazed.

Yes: I have received the last part of “Index Kewensis”: and have from time to time, wondered at your Herculean labours and, again, at your surmounting them, all! Ere long, I hope to hear you say “Done” (as Gibbons did to his History of Rome) to your bigger & longest-in-hand work – “Flora Indica”: yet after that I verily believe you will not (cannot) absolutely rest! but still continue at something easy and pleasing in Botany.

I confess I felt a little disappointed in reading of your son Joey relinquishing his Botanical studies; as I had earnestly hoped he would keep up the ancestral name of Hooker in Botanical science. At the same time I could never think of coercing him; and I trust he will do well at Cambridge, in every sense. I can enter into your feelings re your valuable Botanical Library, Papers, &c – for I have similar ones (feelings) in a lesser degree, re my own Books, &c., which I must leave (ere long) with, I fear, a pang! not knowing what to do with them – your very interesting accounts of your son “Dickey”, and his tastes and pursuits and love for music; and of your unmarried daughter, who has taken to Charity organisation work in London, – are rightly pleasing.