Waited until after 14 Feb. to submit JH's paper on photography ['On the Chemical Action of the Rays of the Solar Spectrum...,' R.S.P.T. (1840), 1-59]. Will send WT a copy.
Reports on a simple mode of obtaining from a common Argand oil lamp a greatly increased quantity of light.
Has decided to appoint five teachers for the Government Schools at the Cape. Three have visited him. Asks JH about the remaining two.
Is sending further testimonials as a candidate for teaching at the Cape of Good Hope. Laments his financial condition. Thanks JH for his encouragement.
Is in communication, as requested, with Mr. Train and Thomas McBean about their candidacy for teaching at the Government Schools at the Cape of Good Hope.
Sends further testimonials on behalf of his candidacy for a position teaching in the Government Schools at the Cape of Good Hope. Describes himself as 'an unfortunate man of genius.'
Inquires as to the salary he would receive if selected to teach in one of the new Government Schools at the Cape of Good Hope. Supplies further testimonials.
Tactfully explains to TM why he cannot recommend him for a teaching position in the Government Schools at the Cape of Good Hope.
Writes favorably on behalf of the qualifications of T. J. Paterson for a teaching position at the Government Schools at the Cape of Good Hope.
Makes another plea for consideration for a teaching position in the Government Schools at the Cape of Good Hope. Attempts to answer some of JH's objections as given in JH's letter of 1840-2-7.
Writing on behalf of John Russell, asks whether JH wishes to recommend Thomas McBean for a position teaching in the Government Schools at the Cape of Good Hope.
Writes to support the candidacy of Francis Tudhope for a position teaching in the Government Schools at the Cape of Good Hope.
Sends further testimonials regarding his candidacy for a position teaching in the Government Schools at the Cape of Good Hope. Asks about the terms of the appointment.
Writing on behalf of John Russell, asks that JH inform T. J. Paterson of his appointment to a position teaching in the Government Schools at the Cape of Good Hope. Mentions travel arrangements for those appointed.
Writing on behalf of John Russell, asks that JH inform Francis Tudhope of his appointment to a position teaching in the Government Schools at the Cape of Good Hope.
Discusses what instruments should be given to Palon Boguslawski. Discusses tidal observations, noting the complexity of the results obtained.
Weather has been unsuitable for using the actinometers. Sends a small parcel of geological specimens. J. H. Lefroy is in a very good situation at Longwood.
Check for the purchase money satisfactory.
Devotes his spare time to optics and has made several telescopes. Would welcome his advice on where to obtain good quality flint glass.
JDH informs his father, William Jackson Hooker, of the progress of the expedition via Madeira & Tenerife. Describes brief trip ashore at Santa Cruz & character & vegetation of the different islands of Cape Verde: wooded St Antaois, salt plain Sal & volcanic St. Jago. Collected at Porto Praya on St Jago, has wanted to visit the island since reading Christian Smith's account & recommended Lippold go, suggests how other botanists should collect there from a base in St Domingo. Saw the rocks of St Paul from the ship & his ship mates brought him a specimen of seaweed. On the coast are birds such as boobies & noddies. A Grapsus crab that steals their eggs. Considered going across the Atlantic to Pernambuco, Brazil, where JDH could have seen Adamson, Gardner & Louder. Instead they travelled via Trinidad, JDH describes the appearance of the island & the sparse vegetation, all the trees appeared to have been destroyed by the introduction of goats, there was only grass, tufts of Cyperus & a tree fern. Describes the voyage to St Helena, which was slowed down by the inferior sister ship HMS 'Terror'. JDH spent the time working on his plants in Captain Ross' cabin, drawing sea animals; crustacea & mollusca brought up in the towing nets, & taking meteorological readings. At St Helena he gave Harvey's letter to Chief Justice Wilde who has a house on Diana's Peak, the only place Dicksonia arborea grows & he has a new Brazil Araucaria in his garden. Describes the island & vegetation: it is largely barren but there are Scotch firs, a cabbage tree, Furze, 2 Rubus[?], introduced blackberry, native raspberry, a Ruellia, barren mosses, a Scotheimia, ferns & a tree fern. JDH is disappointed with his plant collection but has done all he can, there are sets for WJH, the Admiralty, Ross & Wilmot. JDH is also keeping a journal & sketchbook. McCormick has made a geological collection for Dr Fritton. JDH is reluctant to send specimens to the Royal Society Commission on Botany. Discusses his future career as a botanist & the pros & cons of naval service for a naturalist. The thought that no other botanist will go where he has on the expedition is appealing. Also includes two enclosures: some lengthy descriptions of excursions to: the Curral in Madeira, Tenerife, Porto Praya, St Jago & St Domingo valley in the Cape Verde Islands & some journal extracts dating from Dec 1839 & Feb 1840.