From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
William Erasmus Darwin
Date:
24 August 1905
Source of text:
JDH/2/12 f.52, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Hooker Project
No summary available.
No summary available.
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.
No summary available.
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].
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
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.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.