JDH thanks his Grandmother, Mary Turner, for the letters she has sent him during his time with the Ross Antarctic Expedition. He reports that he saw Mr Clowes at Port Jackson, he was first introduced to Clowes by the McLeays. Miss McLeay was the first to tell JDH that his father, William Jackson Hooker, had been appointed Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. From what his GRandmother says JDH thinks the job & residence at Kew will suit his father. Mentions the situations of his aunts, Mary's daughters: Harriet Gunn, Mary Anne Turner & Hannah Brightwen, the latter now married to Thomas Brightwen & living in Southtown near Gorleston. Mary's sons, Gurney Turner & Dawson Turner, JDH's uncles, are doing well in their professions. Aunt Elizabeth has informed JDH that his cousin Inglis will go into the family bank [Gurney's Bank] & her older children Francis & William Gifford are going to college. Mentions a report of Mr Jacobson being given a lectureship. JDH recalls how Mary used to sing at the bank , he wonders if her daughters carry this on. He writes of how he has missed music whilst at sea & relished opportunities to hear any band play whilst on his travels, he especially recalls a band playing Rule Britannia at a ball in Hobart, New Zealand. JDH & the expedition are now returning home. JDH would like to travel more but will likely take up a job at Kew Gardens, an opportunity to pursue the study of his favourite science: botany. Discusses their family friends Mr & Mrs Brightwen, JDH recalls riding to Caistor with Mr Brightwen during harvest.