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The Joseph Dalton Hooker Collection
The Joseph Dalton Hooker Correspondence Project at Kew is making available online the personal and scientific correspondence of the botanist and explorer Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817–1911), Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens’ Kew from 1865-1885. The project was conceived by staff of The University of Sussex and Kew's Library, Art and Archive department and began as a partnership between Kew and the University of Sussex's Centre for World Environmental History. It has been made possible by support from the Stevenson Family Charitable Trust. Letter summaries can be searched through Ɛpsilon, with links to images and transcriptions at the project site at Kew (https://www.kew.org/explore-our-collections/correspondence-collections/joseph-hooker-collections).
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No summary available. This letter appears to continue into a diary entry.
JDH is en route to 'the snows'. A fragrant Artemisia sp. is common though atypical for the climate. Before leaving Darjeeling JDH sent RBG Kew: seeds, Sikkim, Bhotean & Thibethan cloth, tree fern sections, Amadou string , brick tea, a bamboo fishing basket of the Sikkim Mechis of the Terai, Lepcha & Thibetan weapons, flutes, Caryota cotton, Chinese tea called 'Dut-hang' , Bhotea cups, an elephant motif comb used by Ghorkhas [Gurkhas], red paste for marking caste, a letter from the Durmah Rajah on Daphne paper wrapped in silk, 'mech' cloth, a woollen 'do', a Mountain Armadillo cap, a flageolet, a hookah, shields & knives. He has also sent plants of Rhododendron dalhousiae, R. argentums, R. falconeri, Magnolia, Helmingia & Orchideae, to be forwarded through Mr Macrae. JDH had letters about [George] Gardener's death & his collections from Dr Fleming of the army in Ceylon [Sri Lanka] & from Wight. Clamanze has arrived with JDH's collections at the Calcutta Botanic Gardens, where Falconer is expected. JDH discusses the uncertain route of his Sikkim expedition & if he will be hindered by the Rajah & the Lasso Kaji: the lately rejected Vakeel, who could stop JDH crossing the Teesta. JDH's party comprises soldiers, [Brian Houghton] Hodgson's shooters, Lepchas, Sikkim Bhoteas. [Archibald] Campbell came as far as the Great Rungeet. JDH discusses his new servant's faults & the hospitable Cathcart. The ship 'Malabar' bringing Adye's instruments has reached Calcutta [Kolkata]. JDH mentions Captain Mac Luckie's account of a sea serpent in the ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, identified by Prof Owen as a seal. Discusses some barley, the health of Thomas Thomson, & Wallich & McLeland's quarrels reported by Dr O'Shaugnessy. Further up the mountain JDH has collected: a yellow Cymbidium; a funny tree resembling 'Putraajira', which he will identify using Endlicher's book; & Wallichia. This letter will be taken to Dajeeling by Tcheba Lama. The Rajah has sent Hooker his old guide Meepo.
JDH tells Miss [Frances] Henslow how kind the mountain people are to him. He describes his travelling camp, comprising Coolies & Sidars who attend JDH & carry his instruments, a Bhotea interpreter, a Havildar or corporal, sepas, shooters & bird stuffers of [Brian Houghton] Hodgson's & carriers to transport supplies such as food, tents & paper. JDH's only fear is that the Sikkim Rajah may cause trouble & frighten his men, who are nearly all cowards. JDH discusses the behaviour of the Rajah which has been obstructive behind a veneer of politeness, JDH travels on regardless. The Teheba Lama, who Hooker knows from the Teesta, has visited JDH as representative of the Rajah & explained that a letter should have been delivered by the Lassoo Kaji informing JDH he could not proceed until the Rajah had observed a period of mourning for his son but Kaji was disgraced by [Archibald] Campbell & did not deliver the letter. JDH did not give credence to this excuse & the Teheba Lama guaranteed JDH safe passage but he expects to be obstructed again before a guide finally appears.
JDH is at Choongtam Convents waiting for food supplies suited to his mens' religious beliefs. The Rajah has sent JDH a guide, Meepo, but continues to obstruct him in various ways, which JDH explains, & has ordered JDH return to Darjeeling. JDH refused, reminded him he is a guest of Lord Dalhousie, Governor General of India & demanded all communication be via Dr [Archibald] Campbell[AC]. JDH deals with the Rajah's inhospitality by showing no weakness but being kind to his officials & people, feeding them & providing medical care. JDH describes some spectacular new Rhododendrons & drawings he has made of them. He has also found novel Orchideae & gathered an Aristolochia, Androsaces, Primula & more in a wood of Abies brunoniana & he has only just reached the alpine vegetation. JDH will proceed to the passes leading to Thibet [Tibet], first Lachong, then Lachen but will not cross: the Rajah forbids it. JDH describes his normal daily routine. When not marching his time is spent organising camp, making observations on altitude & climate, catching insects, drying & examining plants & writing notes & letters. JDH describes what he wears to stay warm, dry & protected from the sun & leeches whilst marching. He carries tobacco to give the natives & also uses it to repel leeches. The weather is tolerable but late lying snow hinders his research. The scenery is grand & JDH does not miss society. AC has aided JDH extensively but has proved unreliable with food supplies. JDH asks his mother for news of Josephine Richardson & the Palgraves inc. Frank, Gifford & Reginald. He responds to his mother's request for a neck chain, which he may buy in Dacca. JDH mentions: Prince Albert's comments on Eastlake's marriage to E. Rigby; the health of Aunt Hannah under Mr Webber's care; & Hensleigh Wedgewood's case. JDH has collected Lyellia crispa. AC hopes to be appointed Resident at Nepal & JDH will go with him to Cattmandu [Kathmandu] & visit Wallich's Gossain Than [Gosainthan].