JDH mentions some glass damage at RBG Kew which was underestimated by [John] Smith & Wilkie. Regarding the India Museum he suggests that William Turner Thiselton-Dyer meet with Lingen on the pretence of getting his advice about financial considerations of the transfer [of India Museum collections from India House to other institutions including RBG Kew]. He may want to take an enclosed letter from the India Office [enclosure not present] to the meeting, though it says nothing of Cooke's successor. JDH briefly discusses some practicalities of building a gallery for [Marianne] North's drawings at RBG Kew. JDH will write to Bernays. Sends his love to his daughter Harriet [Thiselton-Dyer nee Hooker].
Transcript
a consideration effecting site.
I will write to Bernays[?] -- Thank Harriet with my leave love for her letter.
It is all I can do to catch the post which leaves 1/2 an hour after its arrival
Ever truly yours | J.D. Hooker [signature]
I return I[ndia]. O[ffice]. letter. It says nothing of a successor to Cooke -- you may want it -- to talk to Lingen if you think well of the proposal.
Craigflower
Aug[ust] 21/[18]79
Dear Dyer*1
This is serious news -- this underestimating the damage by both Smith & Wilkie & I cannot understand it --: I hope the glaziers are not breaking as much as they put in.
With regard to India Museum*2, how would it do for you to write a short note to Lingen*3, telling him that I was away, that I would be glad of his advice about one or two matters technical
points, involving[?] considerations of accounting (or what you think best to say) for money connected with the transfer & asking for an interview with yourself, on my behalf or with me [illeg. crossing out] when I come up. Though I suppose he will take his holidays before that[.]
I am sure you will like Lingen
I think much of the "North" drawings. If we are to have a gallery with both back & front ornaments, £ 2000 won't go far, & this is
a consideration effecting site.
I will write to Bernays[?] -- Thank Harriet with my leave love for her letter.
It is all I can do to catch the post which leaves 1/2 an hour after its arrival
Ever truly yours | J.D. Hooker [signature]
I return I[ndia]. O[ffice]. letter. It says nothing of a successor to Cooke -- you may want it -- to talk to Lingen if you think well of the proposal.
1. Sir William 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 also married Hooker's eldest daughter Harriet in 1877.
2. The India Museum was first housed in the premises of the East India Company on Leadenhall Street, London. When the East India Company was dissolved in 1858 the Secretary of State for India took over the Museum, which was moved to the India Office. In 1879 the collections were divided between the South Kensington Museum (now The Victoria and Albert Museum), the British Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
3. Possibly Ralph Robert Wheeler Lingen, 1st Baron Lingen (1819 -- 1905). English civil servant, Education Office (1847--1869), Treasury (1870--1885).
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