JDH writes to inform Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer that, sue to illness, he is unable to come to the herbarium as planned. JDH is reading [James Anthony] Froude's OCEANA, Froude is a fan of the Australian gardens. JDH has received a letter from Asa Gray, whose only news is that he is starting work on the Ranunculaceae for the American Flora, JDH thinks Gray will find the Thalamiflorae easy.

JDH thanks Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer [WTTD] for his letter & mentions a geological [society?] dinner. JDH describes his contentment with his short commute from the Camp in Sunningdale. He is not surprised that the [RBG Kew Directors'] House needs a lot of work as it has not been renovated in over 100 years & the basement used to flood regularly, but JDH is surprised that WTTD would have to pay for any repairs. He discusses the practicality of WTTD combining the 2 studies in the house. JDH concedes that WTTD may need to go to the 'Liver's' [for new livery?] but hopes that his old herbarium sword & coat will still be usable. JDH offers to write to Welby, on WTTD & [Algernon Freemna-]Mitford's behalf, about the imprudence of giving Byrne any power. JDH will dine with the X club on Thursday & then join WTTD at the Athenaeum Club. He hopes to come to Kew on Monday.

JDH informs Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer that he has received a reply from the Treasury [regarding his pension]. Stanhope has asked JDH if he can propose him to North as a Commissioner in connection with a potential international exhibition that the Government of South Australia wants to hold in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the colony, & JDH must accept. [Thomas Henry] Huxley is in good health & has taken up botany, he is studying Grisebach & comparing the distribution of Gentians to Crayfish. JDH has received some Perak plants to work on from Kings, including Andas. JDH [& his wife Hyacinth] are going to Bournemouth. He comments on the Prince [Edward] starting an institute which will include a museum of trade & art etc. He has had no news from 'Brian' for a long time. William Lister & his wife visited JDH & they discussed the Widow [Charlotte Page] Hance & the likelihood of getting her a pension for the work of her deceased Consul husband [Henry Fletcher Hance]. Charlotte Hance has appealed to Alcock to help her get a pension but it is very unlikely, she will continue to live in Hong Kong with her children, who are; 'too delicate for England'. 'Young Hooker' of Egypt is going to marry, he has reported that the French are being rapidly being ousted from Egypt & also given his opinion of Wolfe 'an extraordinary fish' socially but a brilliant at managing people & business.

Letter to Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer regarding the action JDH is taking to pursue a fair pension payment for himself from the Government & the Navy, he has written a memo to Lord Salisbury [memo not present], called on Potter[?] & Fitzgerald[?] & written to Sir john Reid Director of the Medical Department of the Navy, & to the Secretary of the Admiralty. JDH has also written to Sir Hubert Maxwell about his pension complaining about the conduct of a Mr Plunket[?]. JDH also informs WTTD that he has written to Alcock & von Haast, reassuring them with platitudes. He refers to some exhibits as 'utterly demoralizing' & the ingratitude [of Alcock & von Haast] as typical of Germans who have benefited by England. He notes Gustav Mann as an 'honourable exception'. Notes that Welby will be attending a Royal Society dinner.

JDH informs Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer of his latest negotiations for securing his own pension. He has met with the Permanent Secretary of the Admiralty, Evan Mc Gregor, & with Lord George Hamilton's secretary. Their conversation will be passed on to Welby. Lord Salisbury [Robert Gascoyne-Cecil] has informed Lubbock that he will look into the matter of JDH's civil fund pension. JDH is of the opinion that he should get his Naval Pension, but not half pay, as well as the civil pension. JDH also notes that [Johann Franz] von Haast has written to him [possibly regarding an exhibit].

JDH thanks Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer [WTTD] for the copy of the Treasury letter & recounts previous correspondence sent to the Treasury [regarding his pension?]. JDH does not understand their attitude to him, but says it is now done with & should be forgotten. JDH was upset to hear about the havoc caused in the Gardens. He cites two further incidents in 1853-4 & 1865-6 or 1866-7. The former caused damage to a few old trees, but the latter, caused by snow, lead to many trees being killed or destroyed, such as Oaks, Bay & Laurel trees. Tells WTTD that there will be an allusion to it in the Kew Annual Report. Says that WTTD will be pleased to hear that Reggie [Reginald Hawthorn Hooker] has passed first class in all three divisions of his Littlego exams. JDH would like him to come to come up to Kew with him for the day but Reggie says he is too busy. Canon Girdlestone has 'taken Reggie in hand' for two days a week [at Sunningdale school].