JDH informs Brian Hodgson that Lord Carnarvon [the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert] has offered him a knighthood; Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, in recognition of his service to the Colonies. JDH has not sought a knighthood & previously rejected one when offered. This particular honour, as it relates to his colonial work in the name of his Father [William Jackson Hooker] & the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, would be highly prized by JDH. He accepted K.C.M.G. once before only to be later refused the honour by Government, it is now a different Government so Hooker will take no malicious pleasure in refusing the honour this time. Nevertheless JDH will refuse the K.C.M.G. as it is a lesser honour than has been awarded to past Presidents of the Royal Society who were made members of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.