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Palgrave (nee Turner), Lady Elizabeth in addressee 
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From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Lady Elizabeth Palgrave (nee Turner)
Date:
30 June 1841
Source of text:
JDH/1/3 f.201-204, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

No summary available.

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Lady Elizabeth Palgrave (nee Turner)
Date:
25 April 1842
Source of text:
JDH/1/2 f.91-92, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH writes to his Aunt, Elizabeth Palgrave, whom he last addressed from the Bay of Islands, [New Zealand]. The expedition was unable to stop at Chatham Islands & has been waiting for a chance to communicate with home whilst anchored at Berkeley Sound, Falkland Islands. He describes the expedition's most recent cruise in the Antarctica region, they spent all 2 months in the pack ice making no land stops, but did manage to get beyond the 68 degree southern latitude despite bad weather. Discusses the history of colonisation in the Falkland Islands which have recently been claimed by the English from the South American Republic. Briefly describes the landscape, geology & botany of the Falkland Islands. The vegetation is mainly a Carex grass or sedge used for fodder, JDH speculates about what crops could be grown. The population is 60 people, sappers, miners & gauchos who herd cattle. The Governor is Lieutenant Moody, & JDH has been advising him on useful plants that could be grown to improve the colony, e.g. Triticum for thatching & Poa & Agrostides for sheep lawns. Animals include geese, rabbits, snipe & wild ducks all hunted for meat, JDH lists the kill from a successful hunting party he joined. The expedition will go ashore here not at Rio de Janiero for ship repairs. JDH spends his time collecting plants & skinning birds. He has a white Petrel for his cousins shot at 78 degrees southern latitude, he mentions how the petrel is caught & skinned. The expedition is anxious to know how their success has been received at home. JDH mentions three naval promotions, those of Francis Crozier, Edward Joseph Bird & Alexander Smith. Dayman left the ship for the Hobart Town Observatory under Sir John Franklin. JDH wonders about his father, William Jackson Hooker, now that the Ministry has changed, all he knows is that WJH is still on the Council of the Royal Society. Asks if the Thames floods reached the Hooker's new home at Brick Farm, which JDH heard about from Dr Sinclair.

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Lady Elizabeth Palgrave (nee Turner)
Date:
5 April 1843
Source of text:
JDH/1/2 f.188, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH thanks his Aunt Elizabeth Palgrave for two letters, the first received in the Falkland Islands, the second, dated 3 Jan 1842, at Simon's Bay in the Cape of Good Hope. He is glad to have received so many backdated letters with news of his family, even though early in the expedition every letter at a new port brough bad news: the illness & death of his brother Willy [William Henslow Hooker] in Jamaica, the death of his sister Mary [Harriet Hooker] & the illness of his Grandfather & sister Elizabeth ['Bessy' Hooker]. But god things have befallen JDH on the expedition as well, he is satisfied he has done his duty & the expedition has been a success. JDH is delighted for his Father, William Jackson Hooker, who is very happy with his situation as Director of RBG Kew, as are the whole family. Mentions the education of his cousins Frank [Francis Turner Palgrave] & Giffy [William Gifford Palgrave] & his Uncle [Francis Palgrave's] health & poverty. Mentions MURRAY'S HANDBOOK FOR TRAVELLERS IN NORTH ITALY, written by his uncle. Also contribution of his aunt & Lady Callcott to a volume on Westminster Abbey. JDH recalls visiting Lady Callcott in 1829. JDH hopes that on his return his aunt will teach him an appreciation for art. JDH has missed music & art whilst at sea. He has heard no music since the band of the HMS 'Carysfort' played at Berkeley Sound in the Falkland Islands. When previously in Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania] JDH found the ladies at Government House very musical. Now, in Simon's Bay he goes to see the band of HMS 'Winchester' every day, even though they are not very good. JDH has just heard the news about the subjugation of Kabul & Afghanistan, so Gurney [Turner] should no longer be in danger, JDH sends Gurney his regards & good luck in India. JDH wrote to Dawson [Turner] from the Falklands, he hopes his uncle can find less taxing work, as his father has done in leaving Glasgow for Kew. JDH hopes to be in England in 5 months.

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Lady Elizabeth Palgrave (nee Turner)
Date:
24 December 1847
Source of text:
JDH/1/10 f.14-17, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH has been delighted with his trip hitherto. Describes visiting Cairo & wishes his cousin could see the pyramids as he did. Discusses belt of productive soil along the Nile & its small rate of soil deposition. Discusses location of the pyramids & the island on which the Nilometer is situated, & its influence on the corn market. Crossed the Nile on a boat similar to that figured in Bruce’s TRAVELS. Describes two sketches made during the crossing.. On both banks saw Egyptians, Ethiopians, Nubians, Abyssinians, Turks & a few Copts. Reached Ghizeh [Giza] & struck inland, carried by Arabs when it became very muddy. Arabs were scattering vegetable seeds. Reached the pyramids, thinks the Sphinx 'stupendous'. Bases of pyramids covered deeply with rubbish. Only had time to go over the Pyramid of Cheops properly. Describes the magnificent view from the summit. Made a few sketches of the grandest but certainly least attractive scene he has ever viewed. Collected lichens from pyramid summit. Went into pyramid interior & recalled every passage & chamber from childhood interest. Finds one grievous disappointment with the pyramids; their futility as simply mausolea. As a child he regarded them as being constructed for three purposes: as astronomical buildings; as places of worship; & as edifices to the genius of the Nile. He was glad to see Matilda Rigby so soon after she had dined with Lady Palgrave.

Contributor:
Hooker Project