HMS Erebus Hobart Town
July 6th 1841*1

My dear Father
This letter was intended to have been written on your birthday but I am not sure altogether that anniversary is not tomorrow should it be so you must take the will for the deed, receive my most sincere congratulations & hopes that many & more happy ones than the two last must have been, will be granted you. -- The longer I remain a wanderer at sea the more fully convinced I am that to write little & often is far better than to send large quantities of news at one time -- not that I have properly fulfilled any of these particulars, but when I tell you that the letter mamma sent by Mr Power is the only one received from home since my return from the Southward, you will not be surprized that my anxiety with regard to my sisters was extreme, the more so as Kay on my first arrival told me, that two of them were very ill & I have been this three months in the greatest anxiety & alarm for their safety -- I know you have written a great deal to me & I thank you very much for your kindness in doing so, quite as much as if I had received them, though as my mother will tell you they will probably never meet my eye till I see you again. The Admiralty bags are all gone to China & as vessels from thence to Sydney are scarce & from leaving to come round the through the Bass straits for the trades their passage is so long that they can hardly arrive there before we leave it. A fair vessel the "Peruan" came in 7 days ago, & had she only brought a single line telling me how all & especially little Mary was she would have relieved a load from my mind, but I am never know that you cannot be aware of the vessels that sail, nor would it be fair for me to expect you to write by all. -- As it is there is hardly a possibil[it]y of my hearing more news until our arrival at the Falklands, 10 months hence, for no vessels are expected here now from England. Long ere this you will have received what I sent from Vn Diemen's Land when last here, for during our stay here I wrote you 5 letters besides others to the rest of the family.
The parcel of books which were to have come by Dr Johnstone arrived only the other day, they were indeed acceptable especially the German ones for want of which I was very badly of[sic]. -- The memoir on the Duke I thought very good indeed, I most sincerely hope it has done you some good, Capt[ain]. Ross'*2 copy I gave him & of another I shall make a parting present to the Governor [John Franklin]*3, who is a most excellent man though not a good governor, being far too good for the colony. Mr Gunn*4 & third I reserve for Mr McLeay who is I am told alive & well at Sydney, as is his mother now upwards of 100; however in a few days I shall tell you all about them from ocular demonstration -- The number of the H Icones is also a very good one indeed.

Your former letter doubtless tell me how your other works get on, but as it is my only means of knowing is by looking over advertisements. By the last ship that sailed from here I sent home a box containing plants from this Island, Lord Auckland's Group & Campbells Island -- A separate bundle contains the notes which were all finished in the Ice, where the smooth water enabled me to resume my old post in the Capt[ain]s cabin. As far as I could I imitated Banes's style of drawing dissections, bu as the only sketches (on board) of that artist are two in Parry's Voyage, I have not much to copy from & I do not expect that they will please you much, & farther when the ship once gets through a pack she at once meets the troubled waters, & commences rolling about so that I have to lash my portfolio & microscope & to prop myself up. -- however I get on as well as I expected. -- Some of the notes are in a very rude state for the notice of the opportunity was sudden. -- That they may prove correct is all I hope for, as I endeavoured to stick to facts -- The examination of the cabbage was made on the Island & several times since, & I send it in despair of understanding its organization, you will remark that the radicle is pointing away from the funiculus & is on the upper side of the seed as it hangs, & how it gets there supposing the foramen of the ovule to be where Lindley describes it should be, I cannot conceive, for in its turning it must go 3/4 round the seed. I suppose Brown understand it all; the flowers I no where saw, but he has them in the museum from Anderson. -- The Composite plant is a Leptinella, the little scraps out of flower or fruit a new genus near Belliarda, very common on L[or]d Aucklands -- The Callitrichoid plant is very remarkable, -- but I dare say you know more about them than I do. Among the Aucklands' plants there is I think much to interest -- The Araliaceae appeared to me very curious, & so are two or three plants in Junceae, & the fine Asphodeleae of the Compositeae I could make nothing out, but the two Leptinella, the Helichrysum (if it is one) & the Azothammus -- the others are too much for me though I tried all I could with D.C. [De Candollle] & Endlicher for very many hours, do remark the corolla of the radial flowers of the Leptinellae. The reflexion of the corolla is quite remarkable -- The Gentianas all puzzled me at first, for the anthers immediately after bursting turned over & became posticous, opening a bud first undeceived me. -- The anthers of the Plantagineae are not truly versatile but innate. -- Both the Epacrid[eae]. are curious, especially the little prostrate, one which is very unlike any I have seen in V[an]. D[iemen's]. L[and]. [Tasmania]
The genus near Myrsineaeis a very singular one approaching I think in some particulars to Rhamneae -- The plant in Stylideae is a beautiful new genus, it forms dense bright green tufts on the hills with snow white flowers, each with 2 purple anthers in the centre -- The plant in Lobeliaceae is a Pratia of the subgenus Euphratia quite an American genus -- The Hierochloe I take to be the one alluded to in Brown as a plant of Forster's -- There is I suspect a third in the Campbell's Island collection -- The tree ferns

though small delighted me much, as Campbell's Island is dryer to the Southward of Dusky Bay -- The Andraea's[sic] will please you too though they were very scarce on Auckland's group. Since arriving here I have been examining Gunn's Dawsonia which differs more or less from that in M[usci]. Exot[ica]., whether specifically or no you are the best judge -- in the specimens I examined there is no sign of the any peristome at the apex of the columella whatever. The columella is a hollow bag & the inner membrane of the capsule is also loose & of the same color & texture, which makes me feel more sure of an opinion that I once had, of the columella's being nothing more than the inner bag of the theca drawn up in the middle; the more so as the sporules are produced from the inside of the inner bag & outside of the columella -- The hairy coat of the calyptra arises from the base of the bulb among the perichaetial leaves. -- The base of the seta passes through the bulb & lies loose in a cul-de-sac at the top of the stem, it has a conical termination with a hook at the end -- The true calyptra arises from the top of the bulb & is torn off by the lengthening of the seta leaving a small membranous ring which is the vaginula, it is doubtless formed of one convolute leaf & hence becomes dimidiate -- In some Orthotricha the calyptra is formed of 4 leaves with a plicate astivation & their margins applied to one another, this I have actually seen in a moss from Kerguelen's Land, where in a very young state the four leaves were quite separated at their base & 1/3 way up or more -- The bristles at the apex of the true calyptra of the Dawsonia stand out at right angles so that the hairy covering is retained by them -- I should like much to see Brown's description of the plants but Capt. Ross has not that volume of the Linn[ean]. Trans[actions].
Since arriving here this time I have met a Mr Smith a Capt[ain]. In the E.I.C.S. [East India Company Service] he is postmaster here, & says he knew you quite well many years ago, when soon after your return from Iceland you used to visit in his family & bring the Bridal dress with you, his father was M.P. for Norwich some time ago. Mrs Smith is always giving dances & I have been invited to a great many there but never going but on one occasion very late, I suppose they have taken some offense, so I shall call again & do the polite before we sail. Poor Jorgen Jorgensen is dead, he got very drunk one night, & on going home was beaten & robbed by some people, who left him till next morning, when he was found & taken to the hospital where he died, & where his skull now is, I have ben trying to get a model of it & hope to succeed, he had latterly led a most miserable life here, of constant & unremitted intoxication. I used to see him sometimes in the street but never sober -- I also not met a gentleman the other day who knew Mr Telfair in the Mauritius & described him as a most worthy man, most enormously stout, & who used to drink a most immoderate quantity of Liqueurs which had no effect upon him whatever

further than promoting his digestion, he was a most affectionate husband & Father & the gentleman was anxious to know where his son Charles was, but I could not tell him. -- Dr Coverdale tells me that Miss Thomson is going to be married to Dr Robert, I am very glad to hear of it perhaps the young man will fall into his uncles chair, of Tom*6 I have not heard, but saw his name in a E[ast]. I[ndia]. Gazette as being sent to some up up country station -- What to think about Kew I do not know, the ministers have put you off so very often that they may do so longer -- next to my poor little Mary, that subject lies nearest my heart & most sincerely do I hope you may not be after all disappointed, to live near your friends is now your chief sim & must be essential to your comfort, & to be able to raise Kew to the rank of a tolerably good national establishment would be the most honourable service a Botanist could render his country, beside it being the most pleasant one you could set your mind to. I am totally ignorant of your intentions or the offer you have made them, whether you intend getting a house there, till Aiton's*7 death, or whether he will pension off or how in short your prospects are looking. I cannot get any news of the last British Association, did Lord Monteagle stays[sic] at the Crescent & what share you had in the business are quite unknown to me they are not forthcoming. So poor Dr McGill is dead I very much wonder how it was that Dr Chalmers did not succeed him, one of the Principals daughters is married I see & still another Tory Lord Rector is returned -- My Mother tells me that Invereck is sold & I much fear that the great expense your family now puts you to are in some measure your reason for parting with it; every thing seems to have gone wrong from the very day on which I first left Glasgow & believe me that could I with honor give up the expedition it would not be long before I should be at your side to take my share of your labours, as it is were I even uncomfortable in the ship I could not give it up without ifs being said I was afraid to go on & further I hope ere this will reach you, you will be comfily esconced[sic] not 10 miles from Aunt Palgrave's*8 -- As it is much as I must mourn for the losses that have occurred, & situated as I am with so very few for whom to care, my feelings are acute in the extreme, still there is much to be thankful for, my own health is perfect in every particular & my Aunt Palgrave writes word that Maria is still stout & hearty -- should dear Mary be taken away it will be doubtless her gain & though no feelings of that sort can conquer my selfish wish that she should be spared to us it ought to lessen our feelings of grief for her loss.

For my part I can hardly bear to think upon the probability that I shall return to the house I left so lively & merry, & not hear a single gladsome voice, no music & none of the attractions that used to welcome me home every winter night from college. My affection for those who do remain will indeed be greater, but of how much sadder a nature will their welcome be than what my vivid fancy, has been accustomed to paint when the thoughts of home were my only solace?
Whether my collection, such as they are will go to you or no I cannot tell, Capt. Ross has again written to the Admiralty that they should do so but he did not know of the other former ones going to the museum until I told him of it. -- Should the present ones go to Brown perhaps you will see the drawings for they were both as numerous & well done as I could.
At present I am attempting a sketch of the ships off the Barrier [Ross Ice Shelf] & burning mountain [Mount Erebus?] in 78 South for you, & should I succeed you shall have it; my talent for sketching is however far below par & without colors it would be nothing -- There is rather a nice print published of Weddel's*9 ships bearing up in 74".15 by Huggins; which would be worth your buying, a few shillings would cover it & the Icebergs in it, give a very fair idea of those floating masses, though they are not flat topped like the most of those we have seen, nor is the color at all good as they should have a blue tinge -- I am very anxious to know what Fitch*10 is about, he sent me a very pretty fancy sketch of some flowers for which I am extremely obliged to him, it was extremely very kind of him to think of me, in return I have been making a sketch of a curious iceberg with a hole in it for him, the berg is fair enough but the sea will not do, he could copy it & with excellent effect; it was blowing hard & there were some bleak scudding clouds near the moon which was reflected on the tips of the waves, close to the edge of the berg the water should be of an intense cobalt blue, & it should reflect a white glare on the sea -- there are no harsh lines on an Iceberg the shadows should be faint & the lights bright. --
My mother says that poor Grandpapa is still quite lively & considering what he has lately gone through well, should he be spared till my return how much I should rejoice to see him, if it were only once more. I often think of the resigned manner with which he blessed me & wished me farewell for ever -- Could I have formed the most remote idea that he would have held out so long from what your letters contained I should have written him a letter -- I do the same to Mary hopeing[sic] that there may be still chance & that God may grant her days long enough for it to reach her, it would be a

great comfort to think that she too had a share of my handwriting before my leaving civilized society for many months, & to know though the sad news of her death will not reach me for the best part of year, that she had a proof that my thoughts are & will be constantly with her whether on this Earth or in heaven. Poor little girl the last thing she sent me just as the ships were leaving England was a copy of 3 verses commencing "if ne'er again on Earth we meet"
"& this our parting be for ever"
& they now seem to me as if they were prophetic, I little then thought of the possibility of their becoming so sadly applicable. --
Sydney
July 15th 1841.
My dear Father
The sailing od the ship that was to have taken this & my other letters home having been postponed sine die I was recommended to take them to Sydney with me. We arrived here last night after a very pleasant passage having left Hobartown on the morning of Wednesday the 7th -- This is really a very beautiful place as those large views you have will show you. we lie some way from the town close to a little Islet called Garden Island, on which the observatories are to be placed Mr McLeay's house is near us in a little cove called Elizabeth Bay it is a noble looking mansion, which I shall soon visit as I have just sent my letters of introduction -- All the country here seems covered with little green trees of the same dull color as the V[an]. D[iemen's]. L[and]. Ones, & among them the houses are built they are very fine many of them & quite English, with Lawns, parks, palings, gates &c complete, quite a novelty after what we have been accustomed to -- Many fine Norfolk Island Pines make a grand show from the water though they are most stiff & formal looking trees -- Before this letter goes I shall be able to tell you more about the place & also something about the Botanic Garden & I hope a sketch of poor Cunningham's tomb.
In the mean time | Believe me your most affectionate son | Jos D Hooker[signature]
Since writing the above I hear there is an opportunity for sending home tomorrow so I must reserve my account of Sydney for a future opportunity, young McLeay has been on board & he is delighted with my drawings of sea animals, of which many are certainly new; I must however redouble my efforts on that head, little as I care about them, as I hear that the Americans have done much during their voyage to them, & that, McLeay says, is the only thing they have done.