From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
2 Nov 1871
Source of text:
DAR 103: 96–7
Summary:
Henry Holland is taking an active part in helping JDH in the Ayrton affair.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[17 Dec 1871]
Source of text:
DAR 103: 98
Summary:
Cannot come to lunch to meet Sir Henry Holland. Holland may have seen Robert Lowe [Lord Sherbrooke] already. Will CD let him know his views?
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
22 Dec 1871
Source of text:
DAR 103: 99–100
Summary:
Philosophical Club dinner.
Lyell contradicts W. B. Carpenter on current in Straits of Gibraltar.
James Orton’s report on fossil shells found by L. Agassiz 2000 miles up the Amazon. Their identification disposes of the glacial hypothesis.
No news yet from Gladstone on Ayrton affair.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
1 Jan 1872
Source of text:
DAR 103: 101–2
Summary:
Gladstone’s private secretary [West] has written that the Government plans to alter JDH’s position with regard to the First Commissioner of Works [Ayrton].
Huxley is not better after his Brighton trip.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
24 Jan 1872
Source of text:
DAR 103: 103–4
Summary:
William [Hooker] is in first division of matriculation list of London University.
Other family news.
No news on Ayrton affair. Ayrton has taken staff appointments out of JDH’s hands.
Asks whether CD knows about Zizania aquatica – can hardly believe it is an annual.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[5 Feb 1872?]
Source of text:
DAR 103: 105–6
Summary:
Sends a communication [missing] from Gov. J. H. Lefroy of Bermuda.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
30 Apr [1872]
Source of text:
Barton L. Smith MD (private collection)
Summary:
Does not know Dr Mahoney.
Thanks CD for offer of photographs.
His mother’s health is no worse.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
11 May 1872
Source of text:
DAR 103: 109–10
Summary:
The die is cast on Ayrton affair. Lord Derby has called for all of the correspondence, as a result of pressure by men of science on JDH’s behalf.
Has just had a Greenland collection, which supports his views altogether; "I am ready to do fight for these with you."
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
14 May 1872
Source of text:
DAR 103: 112–13
Summary:
More on Ayrton affair. Conduct of Gladstone and the Ministry despicable. They have owned him to be in right but will not raise a finger until exposure in Parliament is imminent.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
15 June 1872
Source of text:
DAR 103: 114–15
Summary:
Expects the memorial to make Gladstone frantic. Government regrets granting Lord Derby the correspondence and Lubbock has been advised to postpone calling for it in Lower House. This looks fishy. Is exhausted by the affair.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
29 Aug 1872
Source of text:
DAR 103: 118–19; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Directors’ Correspondence 156 f. 1075)
Summary:
Encloses letter and cheque [from John Scott].
Again in thick of Ayrton matter. Tyndall and Huxley have shown themselves equal to the occasion in grasp of subject, tenacity of purpose, independence, and good-will.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
2 Sept 1872
Source of text:
DAR 103: 120
Summary:
Kew’s Drosera capensis is at CD’s service.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
7 Oct 1872
Source of text:
DAR 103: 121–3
Summary:
Miscellaneous personal matters.
What does CD think of Robert Mallet’s earthquake theory? Would it not account for strata dipping at base of range of mountains?
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
26 Oct 1872
Source of text:
DAR 103: 126–7
Summary:
Has initiated inquiries about Dionaea.
Sends George King’s address.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
29 Oct 1872
Source of text:
DAR 103: 128–9
Summary:
Sends Mrs Barber’s address.
Gratified that CD hates Owen. Hopes Owen will not answer Nature letter and draw JDH into controversy. Owen’s letter was not intended for Ayrton to use. Its appearance must have horrified him.
State of Huxley’s health makes JDH uneasy.
Willy is in a stockbroker’s office in London and likes it.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
8 Nov 1872
Source of text:
DAR 103: 130–2
Summary:
Has been asked to take shares in the Artizans’ Dwellings Co., in which CD is a shareholder. If it is really a project for public good, he would be glad to be associated.
Owen has answered his letter in Nature [7 (1872): 5–7].
A letter from Tyndall [from America] was read at the X Club.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
8 Nov 1872
Source of text:
DAR 103: 133–4
Summary:
Writes, as a P.S. to his previous letter, stating his friends have advised him not to answer Owen’s attack.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
28 Nov 1872
Source of text:
DAR 103: 135–7
Summary:
Is reading W. R. Greg’s Enigmas of life [1872]: "One of the most eloquent books I ever read".
Owen’s communications are doing incalculable mischief to science in the eyes of Government officials. "This ignorant, careless, unobservant government."
The Nature editors, J. N. Lockyer and Bennett, blame each other for printing Owen’s letter.
Huxley looks wretched.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
7 Jan 1873
Source of text:
DAR 103: 140–5
Summary:
Fascinated by Greg’s Enigmas, though its matter is weak.
Is vexed at being drawn into hostility toward British Museum through William Carruthers’ insolence and presumption.
Recounts visit with Edward Cardwell [Secretary for War].
Has sent Candolle’s book to Gladstone.
JDH indignant at Gladstone’s speech putting English science below French and German.
Thinks it is an accepted dogma that glandular hairs are excreting only. Will ask others to confirm.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
12 Jan 1873
Source of text:
DAR 103: 146–7
Summary:
Drosophyllum is coming from Dublin. Will ship it to Down when it arrives.
The awful honour of Presidency of Royal Society; his aversion to dignities and honours.
R. Strachey [Proc. R. Geogr. Soc. (1873): 450] has paid him and CD a compliment.
Letter from Gladstone.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
