Hooker, Sir Joseph Dalton
JHC412
Craigflower, Torryburn, Dunfermline, [Scotland, United Kingdom]
JDH/2/16 f.57
Thiselton-Dyer, Sir William Turner
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
23-8-1879
© Descendants of Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
Letters to Thiselton-Dyer
The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
English
Original MS
4 page letter over 1 folio
 

JDH writes to Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer about arrangements for the Marianne Northe Gallery. He dismisses [Algernon Freemna-]Mitford's concerns about rights to the pictures & appreciates Marianne North giving up her idea of serving tea at the gallery. He also mentions the matters of a reward for [Daniel?] Morris, & Mead's post. He discusses the amount of money awarded by the board to repair damages to the [glass of the?] frames, Palm House & Temperate House. He mentions the design of another Hot House. He refers to dealing with the Colonial Office regarding Trimen & Syme & to a memo to Mitford about Cooke. JDH adds that he has had to finish the letter in haste as the post is being taken early.

Transcript


Craigflower
Sunday
Aug. 23. [18]79
Dear Dyer*1,
Mitford[']s*2 objections to the drawings are absurd[.] Even if there were serious vested rights & even privileges involved, they could not last very long; & Miss North's giving up her pet scheme of Tea was very considerate.
I am glad you carried the point of Morris['] reward -- the grounds of its' exceptional nature are quite sufficient.
See what I have said to Meads[?] & post if you think it will do.

Page 1


Craigflower
Sunday
Aug. 23. [18]79
Dear Dyer*1,
Mitford[']s*2 objections to the drawings are absurd[.] Even if there were serious vested rights & even privileges involved, they could not last very long; & Miss North's giving up her pet scheme of Tea was very considerate.
I am glad you carried the point of Morris['] reward -- the grounds of its' exceptional nature are quite sufficient.
See what I have said to Meads[?] & post if you think it will do.

Page 2

It was quite right to put the whole matter of the damages clearly to the Board, though they astound me. Still £2000 should do a great deal. I suppose that 1/6 per square will be the approximate estimate for the frames & 2/6 for P[alm].H[ouse]. & T[emperate]. H[ouse]. If you have opportunity ask what other people pay. The idea of the B.n[?] House Colonnade is excellent but how about the messier[?] design? It is Italian I think -- perhaps Fergusson can make it

Page 3

Bactrian!
Your letter to the .C[olonial]. O[ffice]. in re Trimen is excellent. Also as regards Syme -- I quite think we have made a good shot there.
I transmit[?] Memo in answer to Mitford[']s queries respecting Cooke & the £200 -- please read it v[er]y carefully & suggest any alterations or improvements. I have dated & signed it provisionally but have not dated the notification of receipt of Mitford[']s official memo of Aug 20 / [18]79. You can do this latter if

Page 4

my long memo will do (but not else) & send both off.
I am bothered again with the post, there was none out yesterday -- I assumed it went at noon ½ to day as usual, but it goes at 10 ¼! so pray excuse necessary haste.
E[ve]r aff[ectionate]ly Y[our]s | J.D. Hooker [signature]
P.S. I cannot get the Memo on Cooke & £200 completed & corrected -- it shall go tomorrow. No letters come to day except we go to Dunfermline for them.

ENDNOTES


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.
2. Algernon Freeman-Mitford, 1st Baron Redesdale (1837--1916). British diplomat and writer. Secretary to the Office of Works from 1874--1886. The Office of Works was the Government body that oversaw the running of RBG Kew & during his tenure as secretary Mitford supported Joseph Hooker's improvement plans for Kew.

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