JDH writes to Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer [WTTD] about attending a cattle sale at Dunmore with [James] Colvile. He describes his rooms at Tullyallan [Tulliallan] Castle near Kincardine in Fife. He mentions that Lord Keith filled the house with pictures of Naval engagements & mezzotints of [George] Romney, [Sir Joshua] Reynolds & [John Singleton] Copley & [Francesco] Bartollzzi's things. He describes the house's current owner, Lord William Osborne, who served at the Siege of Bhurtpore & under Colvile's uncle Lord Auckland. He came to Tulliallan through his wife, 'Lady William' [Georgina Augusta Henrietta Keith], & now lives a life of leisure. JDH also describes 'Lady William'. Other people at Tulliallan were: Lady Julia Wombwell, Lord Moreton who is Lord Ducie's son & a Cattle breeder, & a Parson from Ross in Hereford. He describes the cattle sale & the prices fetched. JDH has received letters from WTTD & approves of all his suggestions & his improved letter regarding a grant. JDH is concerned about [John] Smith's health & recommends that WTTD consult Dr Laurence & refer to the kindness of Cundale, for example in the rolling machine accident, & the mischief of a previous doctor called Davis. Mentions the contract for the 'T' [Temperate?] House & potential appintments to natural history positions in Scotland for [E. Ray?] Lankester, [Henry Alleyne] Nicholson of St Andrews & William Carmichael McIntosh. Also mentions: memo to [Algernon Freeman]-Mitford & the board regarding Wilkie, Smith & the management of Kew's buildings by the Clerk of Works; letter about Ceylon [Sri Lanka] forests; [Mordecai Cubitt] Cooke's work on fungi; & [John] Macoun's Canadian plants. Discusses the housing of [John] Peacock's succulents, he would prefer an annex be built on the succulent house to continuing the displacement of the Australian plants from the Octagon. JDH sends his regards to the Brightwen family. He approves of the dismissal of Taylor based on 'neglect of orders'.

JDH informs Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer [WTTD] that he has located a C.O. [Colonial Office?] paper previously thought lost. He had shown it to Sir [William Fullerton?] Elphinstone & some Cingalese visitors. JDH also informs WTTD that he has written to Palgrave, Reid, Spottiswoode & Syme. JDH advises that Callender should be told about 'the article' that appeared in the GARDENERS' CHRONICLE regarding rotten beams in the Victoria House & Fern House at RBG Kew. JDH does not approve of the article but as the beams were clearly visible to visitors he is not surprised. JDH asks WTTD to reply to Taylor & Wilkie on his behalf. JDH discusses niceties to avoid offending Oliver when not sending plants through his officer: Baker. Sending the plants can be delayed until JDH returns except in the in the case of Asa Gray's plants.

No Summary available.

JDH addresses a series of points raised in a recent letter from Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer. the subjects are as follows: Indian Museum Collections coming from the India Office to RBG Kew, a potential site for [Marianne North's] Gallery, the colour of the glass houses, letters from Gerard Noel [First Commisioner of Works], arranging for Marianne North to visit Kew, JDH's return from Scotland in time to catch Morris, 'the Works' affair', a letter to Wilson & Cadder, & a matter that prompts JDH to feel sorry for 'Wall'. JDH adds that he is working on Williamson's supplement to his Royal Society paper on Tranquairia, which he claims is the sporange of Lepidonotus & Anellides & that they are macrospores.

JDH mentions some glass damage at RBG Kew which was underestimated by [John] Smith & Wilkie. Regarding the India Museum he suggests that William Turner Thiselton-Dyer meet with Lingen on the pretence of getting his advice about financial considerations of the transfer [of India Museum collections from India House to other institutions including RBG Kew]. He may want to take an enclosed letter from the India Office [enclosure not present] to the meeting, though it says nothing of Cooke's successor. JDH briefly discusses some practicalities of building a gallery for [Marianne] North's drawings at RBG Kew. JDH will write to Bernays. Sends his love to his daughter Harriet [Thiselton-Dyer nee Hooker].

No summary available.

JDH writes to Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer about arrangements for the Marianne Northe Gallery. He dismisses [Algernon Freemna-]Mitford's concerns about rights to the pictures & appreciates Marianne North giving up her idea of serving tea at the gallery. He also mentions the matters of a reward for [Daniel?] Morris, & Mead's post. He discusses the amount of money awarded by the board to repair damages to the [glass of the?] frames, Palm House & Temperate House. He mentions the design of another Hot House. He refers to dealing with the Colonial Office regarding Trimen & Syme & to a memo to Mitford about Cooke. JDH adds that he has had to finish the letter in haste as the post is being taken early.

JDH has been to Edinburgh with Colvile & visited his sister Mrs Maria McGilvray nee Hooker, [John Hutton] Balfour & Dickson. Isaac [Bayley Balfour] had already left for Glasgow. Describes the sickness of [Charles Wyville?] Thomson, it was a complaint of the kidneys but he is not so ill now that they should be talking about his successor [for Chair of Natural History at Ediburgh University]. Reports that John Sadler [Curator] is keeping the Edinburgh Botanic Garden in good order & making many improvements, he particularly mentions the palm house, rock garden & well named plants. JDH suggests that they send a private note to [Algernon Freeman-]Mitford, Secretary to the Office of Works, about Taylor & Wilkie's shortcomings rather than lodging an official complaint. If there is good weather JDH will go to Stirling & the Trossachs.