Forwards copies of new coins to be minted for Australia, and asks WG [Chancellor of the Exchequer] to seek the Queen's approval for them.
About the school progress of sons John and Alexander; JH is in a very depressed state, looks at his current life [at the Mint?] with 'loathing,' and cannot imagine surviving it for more than a few months.
About the health of JH's servant [?], Knowles.
Talks about crystal rocks in JH's collection, which may be used, with great care.
Tells CH about a Crimean War medal being ordered, the Mint not being allowed to design it, but is expected to produce it. JH feels placed in a very difficult position.
Family news and comments.
Would he look at the accompanying work by O. P. A. P. Dufrénoy. Feels that Dufrénoy would advocate only that which was right.
Comments on circulation of new coinage, and on another integral of Henry Warburton's.
Directions for sending mail to son Willy [in India?]; about daughter Margaret Louisa's health, the family bills, some stories about people JH met at a dinner, and finally, JH's despair about his work.
Requests donation of copy of JH's Cape Results to library of Mechanics Institution.
Asks JH's opinion of an anonymous book [WW's Of the Plurality of Worlds: An Essay]. Describes it written 'very fairly' but as presenting views very different from JH's.
No summary available.
JDH thanks Asa Gray for his opinion on an unspecified essay by JDH, letter includes discussion of species & specific centres suggesting the subject of the essay is geographical plant distribution, the definition of a species & whether they are created entities or varieties evolve with environmental influences. JDH refers Gray to his comments in the FLORA ANTARCTICA. He argues against Gray & Agassiz's belief in multiple centres. Discusses the relative importance of genetic resemblance as opposed to habitat, referring to the Dorking Fowl, Manx Cats & Falkland Island rabbits. He favours theories based on observable evidence of geography, physiology etc. Dismisses Agassiz's work, incl on glaciers such as Aletsch, as prejudice not based in fact but on a desire for notoriety. JDH & Lyell like Agassiz personally. JDH looks to Americans for future discoveries in science as he considers them more practical. Bentham has decided to give his herbarium to RBG Kew. Thomas Thomson [TT] wants to be botanist on an expedition to North West Australia, if the East India Company will give him leave. Hurt approves of TT, who was imprisoned with his brother during the Afghanistan campaign. William Jackson Hooker has applied to The Duke of Newcastle on TT's behalf. Writes of progress with FLORA INDICA & distribution of plant sets to Gray, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, St Petersburg, Brown at the British Museum, Lowell & Torrey. Asks Gray about North American Larch, Yew, Junipers & Coniferae incl. Scotch Pine. Uses Yews from Pontrilas as an example of the difficulty of using habitat vs character in determining species. The Deodar Avenue at Kew is another example of how plants may not always have the ideal characteristics of their species. Agrees that species cannot be pronounced the same because they are united by certain forms, gives Mt Lebanon & Himalayan Cedars as example of extreme forms. Argues the difficulty is with local botanists wanting to give local varieties a distinct classification.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
A one page letter from Joseph Hooker to Miles Berkeley.
Joseph Hooker writes to Miles Berkeley congratulating Berkeley on his son, Emeric Berkeley, passing his exams. Also mentions attending a Microscopical Society event and how Hugh Falconer is hoping to return from India next year and will recommend Thomas Thomson to replace him at the Calcutta Botanic Garden.
No summary available.
No summary available.