JDH informs Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer [WTTD] that he has located a C.O. [Colonial Office?] paper previously thought lost. He had shown it to Sir [William Fullerton?] Elphinstone & some Cingalese visitors. JDH also informs WTTD that he has written to Palgrave, Reid, Spottiswoode & Syme. JDH advises that Callender should be told about 'the article' that appeared in the GARDENERS' CHRONICLE regarding rotten beams in the Victoria House & Fern House at RBG Kew. JDH does not approve of the article but as the beams were clearly visible to visitors he is not surprised. JDH asks WTTD to reply to Taylor & Wilkie on his behalf. JDH discusses niceties to avoid offending Oliver when not sending plants through his officer: Baker. Sending the plants can be delayed until JDH returns except in the in the case of Asa Gray's plants.
Transcript
Reid & Spottiswoode.
III. Also to Syme, telling him all I know, & that he had better come up soon and see you (by appointment), & get a letter to the Crown Agents from you.
IV What -- shall be said to Callender’s epistle? I think we should tell him that the article appeared in the G[ardeners]' C[hronicle] (which some friend is sure to send him in the F. C.): that we do not approve but that as Taylor allowed the rotten beam to hang down vertically for weeks over the heads & indeed under the noses of the every visitor to the Victoria House
THE ROYAL GARDENS KEW
Aug[ust] 14/[18]79
Dear Dyer*1
More last words
I After I had written to Ferguson Lady H[ooker] brought me the C. O. from the drawing room! I can truly suppose that I took it up to show Sir W. F.[?] Elphinstone or some of the Cingalese with whom we have been infested of late. Perhaps my letter may still go, as I have added a P.S to s[a]y the paper is found!
II. I have written to Palgrave[,]
Reid & Spottiswoode.
III. Also to Syme, telling him all I know, & that he had better come up soon and see you (by appointment), & get a letter to the Crown Agents from you.
IV What -- shall be said to Callender’s epistle? I think we should tell him that the article appeared in the G[ardeners]' C[hronicle] (which some friend is sure to send him in the F. C.): that we do not approve but that as Taylor allowed the rotten beam to hang down vertically for weeks over the heads & indeed under the noses of the every visitor to the Victoria House
it is not to be wondered at. Also that a visitor was seen to thrust his stick into the rotten beam of the Fern House. See what I have said & forward it on or take it in.
V I have no time to answer the letter about Taylor & Willkie, but have indicated my views. You can formulate them please.
Vi. I am puzzled about writing to Oliver -- He may take offence at my not communicating the plants through his own officer Baker. If I ask him to go over to you & he goes & finds you in town, he will be offended. If I ask him to make an app[ointment] with you it may be taken the
wrong way! Just see what I have said, & act as you think best -- you may destroy the letter if you like & leave the plants till I return, except A[sa] Gray's by the way which he will be expecting I think.
Ever affe[ctionately] y[ou]rs | J. D. Hooker [signature]
1. Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer (1843--1928). British botanist and third Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (1885--1905). He succeeded Joseph Hooker in the role after serving as his Assistant Director for ten years. He previously held professorships at the Royal Agricultural College Cirencester, Royal College of Science for Ireland and Royal Horticultural Society. He married Hooker's eldest daughter Harriet in 1877.
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