Hooker, Sir Joseph Dalton
JHC417
Craigflower, Torryburn, Dunfermline, [Scotland, United Kingdom]
JDH/2/16 f.62
Thiselton-Dyer, Sir William Turner
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
8-9-1879
© 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
 
Transcript

at Rowland Hill's funeral though I rather doubt its his being a case for W[estminster] Abbey. However it is his are better claims than the P[rince]. 1 struck through word illeg. Imperials.
As to rebuilding V. House, I shall only be too glad of Orchid House has not also to be rebuilt. I am & have been twice since they were put up, in despair about the keep of those houses -- flooded with water daily & never ventilated. In no establishment in Europe are Houses heated as ours' are: but it is a question of cultivation in which we can only advise. Heat & water are our only panaceas for stove plants!

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Craigflower
Sept[ember] 8 / [18]79
Dear Dyer*1,
I am very sorry indeed to hear of the continuation of troubles: I only hope that they may open Board's eyes -- What with the Work's dep[artmen]t & Smith's health we are indeed in great difficulties. But it is a long lane that has no turning, & your securing Reeve's[?] attention is indeed a a very master stroke of policy
We shall be back as intended on the 15th & I shall follow up your policy. I suppose that Mitford is away, as you seem to have Callender in hand.
I am glad that Kew was represented

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at Rowland Hill's funeral though I rather doubt its his being a case for W[estminster] Abbey. However it is his are better claims than the P[rince]. 1 struck through word illeg. Imperials.
As to rebuilding V. House, I shall only be too glad of Orchid House has not also to be rebuilt. I am & have been twice since they were put up, in despair about the keep of those houses -- flooded with water daily & never ventilated. In no establishment in Europe are Houses heated as ours' are: but it is a question of cultivation in which we can only advise. Heat & water are our only panaceas for stove plants!

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Hill Teak[?] should be used. Were we not officially informed that it would be?
I go to Edinburgh tomorrow to inspect the garden carefully & then to I[saac]. A[nderson]. Henry's if he is in Edinburgh & shall stop there returning here next day -- The weather is against old examiners[?] & I have plenty to do helping Colvile to lay out his grounds.
The Allman's came on Saturday -- They gave a poor account of the B[ritish]. A[ssociation].
I have a letter from Lankester about the Edinburgh chair, but I must, in confidence, advise great caution to be used in the matter. It has got wind that

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Lankester is moving towards it & great umbrage is taken -- there being as yet no talk Thomson's retiring in Edinburgh*2 or even of his not lecturing again. If all I hear is correct Thomson is not likely to die, & at the worst an assistant to lecture for him would be the course. I shall hear more tomorrow & let you know.
Please give Smith Mr W.H. Smith's letter. I have answered it to the effect that I will enquire.
With regards love to you & Harriet
Ever y[ou]rs affectionately | Jos.D.Hooker [signature]

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. The word 'Edinburgh' has been circled in the text.

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