Hooker, Sir Joseph Dalton
JHC268
The Camp, Sunningdale, Berkshire, United Kingdom
JDH/2/22/2 f.111
Hodgson (nee Townshend), Susan
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
30-6-1889
© Descendants of Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
Asa Gray Correspondence
The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
English
Original MS
4 page letter over 1 folio
 

JDH discusses an unspecified event attended by Susan & her husband Brian Hodgson. JDH did not attend as he was visiting Sir John Henry Lefroy. JDH & his wife Hyacinth Hooker would like to visit the Hodgsons in Aug. Colonel Lyell is staying with the Hookers in July. Whilst away in Devon & Cornwall JDH missed a visit from Miss Henslow, Frances's sister. In Cornwall JDH saw many plants of Rhododendron hodgsonii thriving, as well as other species, incl. R. falconeri, R.aucklandii, R. argenteum, & R. barbatum.

Transcript


THE CAMP,
SUNNINGDALE.
June 30 [18]89
My dear Mrs Hodgson,*1
I am indeed glad to know that Brian [Houghton Hodgson] got through his trials so well -- for the whole affair is fatiguing for any body. -- I am particularly thankful that he was enabled to avoid the luncheon. The afternoon in the Garden is the nicest part of the whole. I do wish I could have been there: but I was obliged to go to Lefroy*2 when well enough to see me, & there

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THE CAMP,
SUNNINGDALE.
June 30 [18]89
My dear Mrs Hodgson,*1
I am indeed glad to know that Brian [Houghton Hodgson] got through his trials so well -- for the whole affair is fatiguing for any body. -- I am particularly thankful that he was enabled to avoid the luncheon. The afternoon in the Garden is the nicest part of the whole. I do wish I could have been there: but I was obliged to go to Lefroy*2 when well enough to see me, & there

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had been so many postponements.
I found my old friend quite as well as I expected; but a confirmed invalid, unable ever to walk up or downstairs, but with his mind as active as ever.
We really do look forward with pleasure to accepting your kind invitation; -- some time in August would suit us but -- we can are engaged for all July. Col[onel] Lyell*3 is coming to us for a long stay on the or about the 16th of this month.
We had a very pleasant week in Cornwall & Devon, but unfortunately missed some visitors

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who relied on our being at home on Friday. One lady of 63 had ridden 12 miles on a tricycle to call! & tricycled back in the evening. Seeking she made herself known to Mrs Symonds.*4 It was Miss Henslow*5, & Frances's sister.
Tell Brian with my love that I saw in Cornwall many many plants of Rhod[odendron] Hodgsonii in the open air, 6 feet across & more, & with leaves a foot long -- they were past flowering unfortunately -- they were planted in the woods & throve luxuriantly. There were also noble plants of Falconeri, Aucklandii, Argenteum, barbatum

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& others -- together with Hodgsonii forming regular shrubberies. -- as if native of the soil.
With Hyacinth's love to you both | Ever aff[ectionatel]y your | Joseph Hooker

ENDNOTES


1. Susan (Susie) Hodgson née Townshend (1844--1912). Photographer and second wife of naturalist Brian Houghton Hodgson (1801--1894), they married in 1869 or 1870.
2. Sir John Henry Lefroy (1817 --1890). Soldier, scientist and colonial administrator. He distinguished himself with his scientific studies of the earth's magnetism. Described as "probably the most remarkable contributor to our knowledge of the phenomena of magnetic disturbances."
3. Col. Sir Henry Yule (1820 -- 1889). Scottish Orientalist. He joined the Bengal Engineers in 1840 and served in both Sikh Wars. He published many travel books including translations of the works of Marco Polo and Friar Jordanus. He was also the compiler of a dictionary of Anglo--Indian terms, the Hobson--Jobson, along with Arthur Coke Burnell.
4. Joseph Hooker's mother--in--law, wife of William Samuel Symonds (1818 --1887), an English geologist and clergyman. Mother of Lady Hyacinth, Joseph Hooker's second wife.
5. Miss Henslow, sister of Joseph Hooker's first wife, Frances Hooker, née Henslow.

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