JDH met Mrs [Archibald] Campbell and her children on their way from Monghyr on the Ganges to Darjeeling. He describes the way the family was travelling in Palkee's carried by bearers with their female attendants conveyed in suspended cages or chairs and the men running on foot. Along the road they rest at Bungalows erected for travellers by the government and at settlements it is customary for strangers to stay in the residents' homes and receive hospitality. Food in India is cheap, as are servants, but they are prone to breaking things. JDH enumerates all the servants [Brian Houghton] Hodgson has: over 20 for various purposes in his household and garden as well as a village full of people who cultivate the land badly but still get a wage. JDH discusses the health, appearance and affectionate nature of Mrs C's children. They gave JDH a palm wood walking stick which he will send to the [RBG Kew] museum. JDH has many letters & an account of his travels for the Asiatic Society to write.

JDH describes the portrait Mr Tayler is painting of him. The scene is JDH’s camp in a forest after a supposed day of collecting in the snowy Himalaya mountains & features: JDH’s Lepcha Sirdar presenting him with a bunch of Dendrobium nobile; the Ghorkha [Gurkha], Havildar & Lepchas in their uniforms; JDH’s Bhotea dog; bamboos, ferns &rhododendrons. JDH also describes the combination of Thibetan [Tibetan]& English clothes he is wearing for the portrait, including a hat mounted with a silver pebble & peacock feather as marks of rank. Illustrated with a sketch of the hat.

JDH tells Miss [Frances] Henslow how kind the mountain people are to him. He describes his travelling camp, comprising Coolies & Sidars who attend JDH & carry his instruments, a Bhotea interpreter, a Havildar or corporal, sepas, shooters & bird stuffers of [Brian Houghton] Hodgson's & carriers to transport supplies such as food, tents & paper. JDH's only fear is that the Sikkim Rajah may cause trouble & frighten his men, who are nearly all cowards. JDH discusses the behaviour of the Rajah which has been obstructive behind a veneer of politeness, JDH travels on regardless. The Teheba Lama, who Hooker knows from the Teesta, has visited JDH as representative of the Rajah & explained that a letter should have been delivered by the Lassoo Kaji informing JDH he could not proceed until the Rajah had observed a period of mourning for his son but Kaji was disgraced by [Archibald] Campbell & did not deliver the letter. JDH did not give credence to this excuse & the Teheba Lama guaranteed JDH safe passage but he expects to be obstructed again before a guide finally appears.

JDH knows that the Rajah spread news that he & [Archibald] Campbell [AC] were dead & wants to know if the misinformation reached England. He believes they will soon be released. He will then go to Nepal, where the Rajah is more honourable & has given Lord Dalhousie his consent for JDH to explore the region. He shall go once [Thomas] Thomson joins him & he has sent his collections to Darjeeling. JDH describes their imprisonment & the Bhotia authorities; the Lepcha people sympathise with them. The Lamas are now supporting them too. The Rajah is in a difficult situation; the Superintendent of Darjeeling will continue his course of action. JDH describes AC’s character & health. Their only contact with the Durbar [Court] is through a 'spy', Toba Singh, who misrepresents them to the Rajah. [Brian Houghton] Hodgson remains at Darjeeling to aid their communications & comfort Mrs AC. After Nepal, JDH hopes to visit Calcutta [Kolkata] or Bombay [Mumbai] before returning home in November.