JDH thanks Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer for his letters & replies to his question regarding Mr Woodbridge's concerns about varnishing Marianne North's pictures. JDH discusses an answer to the Board regarding appointment of a permanent foreman for the Herbaceous ground. JDH is not certain whether Dewar should yet be raised to the position of permanent propagating foreman but they will need someone to take on that role too. JDH cannot understand why the First Commissioner of Works [Algernon Freeman-Mitford] will not answer his letter on the subject. JDH thinks that the erroneous report of [George] Bentham's death arose through the death of Mrs Bentham & has been perpetuated by gossip. JDH has met with Frederick William Waller about building a house & likes what he has seen of his work. JDH [& Lady Hyacinth Hooker] are to have lunch with Sir William Guise at Elmore.