JDH writes to his wife Lady Hyacinth Hooker about his unpleasant voyage on board the 'Parthia' [to Boston, USA]. It is a screw ship rather than a paddle wheel steamer & the strange motion makes many of the passengers sea sick. Other passengers include: an Irish relation of Mrs [Jane Loring] Gray; a relative of Motley's daughter who married Sir William Harcourt MP the brother of Harcourt of Nuneham; the Strachey's [Sir Richard & Lady Jane Maria]. JDH has spent a lot of time reading in his cabin, he has read: [Baron Thomas Babington] Macaulay, [John] Evelyn's diary, Keye's lives of Eminent Indians, some of [Henry Wadsworth] Longfellow's Poems & one volume of [Charles] Lyell's 1st journey in America. Describes the ship's captain as 'a bright intelligent Scotsman' who engaged in debate about the effects of emotion & principles. The ship doctor is an Irish Army surgeon who served in India & is a good storyteller. The long journey & poor travelling conditions have put JDH off another trip across the Atlantic to America unless Hyacinth persuades him. The letter continues after JDH's arrival at Boston Harbour. Motley & [Charles Sprague] Sargent will come to meet JDH & party on a Government steamer & escort them through customs. In a post script JDH adds that he has been made welcome in Cambridge, Massachusetts & will start soon for Colorado. Requests that [John] Smith & [Sir William Turner] Thiselton-Dyer send a corrected copy of the fern list to Professor Sargent.

No summary available.

JDH describes his passage on board a steamer ship. He complains about the drink especially the brandy & will try the wine as he does not think it will effect his ears. He sends his love to family members, Reginald Hawthorn Hooker, Grace Ellen Hooker & Mrs Symonds. Sends his apologies for not writing to his mother from Liverpool but he was shopping with the Stracheys until the last minute. West winds are making the passage slow.

All London is talking about a report of the Russians advancing into Constantinople [Istanbul], if true it will mean war but JDH is sceptical. George Henslow has visited JDH. He has worked on the Indian flora for JDH but his work is poor & will need to be redone. William Thiselton-Dyer is to give a series of lectures on botany at the Royal Institution, which will be good for the reputation of RBG, Kew. JDH is with John Henry Lefroy, asks if Hyacinth mentioned calling on Lady Charlotte Anna Lefroy to Mrs Lyell. JDH will write to Dr Low about vaccinations. Everyone is going to 'Stanley's lecture'. JDH sends his love to all at Down [Down House] & tells Hyacinth to kiss the baby for him.

No summary available.