From:
William Turner Thiselton-Dyer
To:
Archibald Geikie
Date:
15 January 1905
Source of text:
MM/16/65, Royal Society
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Royal Society
Showing 1–14 of 14 items
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JDH writes to Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer [WTTD] regarding [David] Prain's selection as a Fellow of the Royal Society, he particularly mentions that Charles Darwin was impressed by Prain & advocated his selection along with JDH. JDH also secured Prain the support of [Sir Michael] Foster but [Dunkinfield Henry] Scott probably supported [Francis Wall] Oliver. JDH criticises the behaviour of [Sir Dietrich] Brandis in trying to swap Prain's candidature in favour of [Otto] Stapf adding that he has always disliked Brandis & his approach to Indian botany. JDH praises [Perceval] Landon's book LHASA & adds that he is keen to hear about the botanical collection Prain is to receive from the expedition Landon was part of, [British Military Expedition to Lhasa, Tibet 1903-1904]. JDH mentions his opinion that the Government will be scared into giving up the Tibetan pass of Chumbi which they had occupied. JDH also reflects on the life of Dufferin [Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava] whose biography he is reading. He recommends WTTD read THE NORTHWESTERN PROVINCES OF INDIA by W. Crooker, 1897, & THE POET GRAY AS A NATURALIST BY edited by [Charles Eliot] Norton. JDH also mentions Algernon Bertam Freeman-Mitford's speech & photographing a sketch of David Douglas for the 'young mens' reading room'. He reports that [George] King's work on Effuseae is slow & he is seeking advice from Genoa.
JDH writes to Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer [WTTD] concerned about his health. JDH believes that WTTD has overworked himself and needs relief. JDH understands that Sir David Prain might be employed should the Secretary of State for India allow it and JDH asks if he can be of any help by giving the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture his point of view on the matter. JDH says that he would assure the Secretary that he was working for the interests of Kew as much as for a family member [i.e. his son in law WTTD]. Advises WTTD to go to the Ferns to await developments, which JDH will advise him of by telegraph.
JDH was not able to get to Kew the day before. James Bryce attended & was keen to do as much as possible for RBG Kew and for Sir David Prain. JDH talks about his dislike for the government & the political parties. He says politicians have to be persuaded to vote, whilst they are having long tea parties on the terrace for the ladies. He believes the Parliament is demoralised. Bryce agreed. JDH informs Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer that Mrs Sabina Paisley's cousin a General Smith lives near Cheltenham & wishes to make WTTD & Harriet's acquaintance. A Captain Smith, formerly of the Indian army Transport Corps, is being invited to Sunningdale to meet with JDH's son, Joseph Symonds Hooker. JDH is working again on the Chinese Balsams.
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JDH thanks Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer for sending him views of his old home West Park. He reports that Brian [William Hooker, his grandson] has left The Camp despite hearing that 'the India appointment' has been filled. JDH shies away from writing his memoirs but will overcome his aversion & do so at WTTD's suggestion, Lady Hooker already writes down passages of her early life. Dick [Richard Symonds Hooker] has just met a friend of WTTD's, Mr Muirhead, whilst playing a role in a pastoral play. JDH is working on Malayan Balsams but finds they are so succulent & with such minute anthers that they are difficult to work with. Laurence Austine Waddell has presented JDH with a copy of his book 'LHASA AND ITS MYSTERIES - WITH A RECORD OF THE BRITISH TIBETAN EXPEDITION OF 1903-1904'. JDH admires the work & the photographs in it, he wishes there has been a naturalist with the expedition & thinks WTTD should mention the lack to the Indian Government.
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JDH writes to Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer [WTTD] that he is sorry for [Otto] Stapf's 'intentions' [to apply for a job in the botany department of the Natural History Museum, London] and JDH hopes that he will not be successful. Comments that [Alfred] Rendle is a good systematic botanist and has been on the [Natural History] Museum staff for 17 years so it is only fair that he gets the job. Thanks WTTD for telling him about Brian [Brian Harvey Hodgson Hooker - his fifth child] and agrees with every word. JDH says that he has put Brian on an 'existence allowance' to help with clothing for him, his wife and children. School bills are also sent to JDH & he pays to keep & educate Frances. Says he would be surprised if Brian gets any employment though his wife may find something for him. JDH reports that he is off to Sidmouth the next day. Says that [Captain Robert] Scott has sent him the 2 volumes of his book [presumably THE VOYAGE OF THE DISCOVERY].
JDH informs Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer [WTTD] that they had an enjoyable stay in Sidmouth but sadly returned to a detailed account from [William] Farlow] of Miss Gray's illness, which appears to be a paralytic seizure of head and limbs. She may recover. Farlow has suffered a succession of misfortunes: a 7 year old niece operated on for appendicitis; death of a nephew; a friend lost his eye and another fell from a balcony. JDH writes that he returned to find a copy of [Alfred] Wallace's MY LIFE with an enclosed letter which WTTD might like to see [enclosure is not present]. JDH writes that he has not seen [Edward] Clodd's citation of [Henry] Bate's work but he must get it. Notes that he must find time to read [Robert Hugh] Mill's SIEGE OF THE ANTARCTIC. JDH says that WTTD must tell him if he wants to see either of the above books. JDH notes that he encloses a book catalogue of which no. 264 might be worth WTTD's attentions [enclosure is not present]. Offers WTTD a copy of FRUTICETUM VILMORINIANUM for the RBG Kew library. JDH asks how [Otto] Stapf's application to the Botany Department of the British Museum [of Natural History] is proceeding. Says that Stapf has not approached JDH and JDH would not encourage Stapf if he did. JDH believes that other assistants in the department such as [Alfred Barton] Rendle and Baker are suitable to fill the vacancy. JDH reports that he has bad eczema on one leg. Asks what [David] Prain's prospects are.
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