Letter and/or further information available at http://jdh.aetopia.net/p/jdh?q=jhc83.
Please cite as “JHC83,” in Ɛpsilon: The Joseph Dalton Hooker Collection accessed on
JDH tells WJH of his plan for the coming year. He is done with Sikkim & Bhotan [Bhutan], or the 'Dhurmah country', is shut to Europeans; it's Rajah is worse than Sikkim’s. The Mishmis are so unhealthy that Jenkins advises against going there. The northwest is being explored by Captain Strachey – only Nepal remains. JDH describes the best route: straight from Darjeeling to Cattmandu [Kathamandu] via Dunkotah & then to Dawalgeri & Kumaron. He describes the difficulties he will face. The Rajah’s leave could not be refused to the Governor General. The expense would be £600 of which he has £300 from Woods & Forests. He has written to Lord Dalhousie on the matter & hopes Thomson will join him. He has also written to Sir Henry Elliot of his intentions. If Thomson does not join him, he will struggle with navigating by astronomy & languages. He describes orientating himself in Sikkim using an Azimuth Compass, but could not do so in Nepal. The languages spoken, besides Hindustani, are Purbuttyah – Ghoorka [Ghurka] colloquial - & Bhote [Tibetan]. He requests a telescope & one of Newman's short barometers. Should there be any obstacles to his plans for going to Nepal, he will take the Khossya Hills instead. JDH discusses his recent explorations which have included two glaciers, & his collections, including a Cyananthus. He wants WJH to grow the great rhubarb 'Tchuka', which he describes, he thinks it is figured in Royle’s Himalaya Flora. A new Rhododendron & Tsalla are common there at 18,000 ft. He adds that it snows everyday.
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