JDH received his mother, Lady Maria Hooker's, letter of 1 Feb through Sir John Franklin. He reacts to the news that his youngest sister Mary [Harriet Hooker] is dying of a pulmonary disease, it will be a sad return if she is not there to see the curiosities he collected for her, incl. albatross eggs from Lord Auckland's Islands. The arrival of HMS 'Erebus' & 'Terror' in Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania] was announced in a Feb newspaper, he hopes this is not the only word his family has had of him as he has written many letters. He does not know how news of their arrival in Kerguelen's land has spread, possibly a whaler carried a message from Kay to Lady Franklin. Post in the admiralty bag on the 'Hebe', including despatches for Captain [James Clark] Ross, has been missent to the China fleet, JDH hopes to get this mail at Sydney. JDH reports that he is very healthy & the work on ship is making him strong. Is pleased that his father, Sir William Jackson Hooker, will likely become Director of RBG Kew - though ministers are currently preoccupied with a likely [opium?] war. Hopes his family are thinking of him on his birthday. He has received a letter from his Aunt [Elizabeth] Palgrave. JDH expects his mother's earlier, unreceived letters contain accounts of Jersey. He has a messmate named Yule from Jersey whose father was a Lieutenant of Nelson's at the battle of Trafalgar. JDH describes the climate of Hobarton [Hobart], he prefers the cold weather of the Antarctic Circle. Describes the societal delineation between descendant of convicts & other individuals. There are many wealthy families of old & new money but culture, such as literature & music is lacking. JDH hopes for more mail by the incoming ship 'Persian'. JDH thanks his father & grandfather [Joseph Hooker senior] for books & [Walter Hood] Fitch for a sketch. Briefly describes reaching the ice for the first time & the expedition's imminent return to it. Mentions Isabella [Hooker] & her child Willielma Dawson Hooker.