[Letter appears to be incomplete as it bears no formal salutation, & the only date given has been added in pencil in a hand not that of the original author.] In the letter JDH writes to [Asa Gray] informing him that he is going to Belfast for the British Association. He will 'begin' at the Royal Society in November. Explains why he has refused Knight Commandership of St Michael & St George. As President of the Royal Society he feels he will inevitably be offered Knight Commandership of the Order of the Bath & will be obliged to accept even though he & his wife, Hyacinth Hooker, do not like such titles. In a post script he adds that Baker has Gay's plants ready for Gray & Mrs [Elizabeth] Lombe is unwell.