Hooker, Sir Joseph Dalton
JHC1009
The Camp, Sunningdale, Berkshire, United Kingdom
JDH/2/7 f.13-13a
Hooker, Joseph Symonds
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
1-4-1890
© Descendants of Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
Letters to his son 'Little Lion'
The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
English
Typescript copy
2 page letter over 2 folios
 
Transcript


April I /[18]90. The Camp Sunningdale.
My dear Cub You know I daresay that young Lions are called cubs or whelps,-which name do you like best, or shall I still call you Little Lion as of old: but you are so big that I think it must be "Young Lion" in future, that is, if you would prefer it to Cub or Whelp. Thank you for your letter. We had a good laugh over Dicky's saying about the Metcalfe's. Mr La Touche was very sorry that he missed meeting you here, he left on Wednesday, but the gentleman pupil he brought with him is staying till tomorrow, when he hopes to go to Mr Rothery's. Hugh & Archie are quite well I do not think that they have caught any hurt as the weather is so cold. We had a fall of snow two mornings ago &the ground was quite white. The Narcisse are all out & the Daffodils, & there is one Birch tree on the hill quite green, but none of the others have even burst their buds. We have a good deal of sun & sharp showers of rain. I do not know who Miss Sefarts is to whom you have been taking a wedding present. Your old governess Miss Brown was here with her Aunt today I went to see Mr Rothery yesterday, who was quite well, Mrs Huntly Gordon was there, tell Mama that several people have been asking about Ribsden but no one has taken it yet.

Page 1


April I /[18]90. The Camp Sunningdale.
My dear Cub You know I daresay that young Lions are called cubs or whelps,-which name do you like best, or shall I still call you Little Lion as of old: but you are so big that I think it must be "Young Lion" in future, that is, if you would prefer it to Cub or Whelp. Thank you for your letter. We had a good laugh over Dicky's saying about the Metcalfe's. Mr La Touche was very sorry that he missed meeting you here, he left on Wednesday, but the gentleman pupil he brought with him is staying till tomorrow, when he hopes to go to Mr Rothery's. Hugh & Archie are quite well I do not think that they have caught any hurt as the weather is so cold. We had a fall of snow two mornings ago &the ground was quite white. The Narcisse are all out & the Daffodils, & there is one Birch tree on the hill quite green, but none of the others have even burst their buds. We have a good deal of sun & sharp showers of rain. I do not know who Miss Sefarts is to whom you have been taking a wedding present. Your old governess Miss Brown was here with her Aunt today I went to see Mr Rothery yesterday, who was quite well, Mrs Huntly Gordon was there, tell Mama that several people have been asking about Ribsden but no one has taken it yet.

Page 2

I have not read "With Lee in Virginia" is it a nice book? I suppose it is all about the Civil War in America. Every one is talking of Stanley now, he is coming home & is to have a grand dinner given him by The Royal Geographical Society & an ovation or glorification in the Albert Hall which holds I think 10.000 people. Give my love to Mama & Dicky. Hugh & Archie & Mr Metcalfe & above it Grannie send their love to you & Dicky. Your ever loving father (signed) Jos: D. Hooker.

ENDNOTES

Please note that work on this transcript is ongoing. Users are advised to study electronic image(s) of this document where possible. If users identify any errors in the transcript, please contact archives@kew.org.

Powered by Aetopia