JDH returned to RBG Kew on 2 Aug 1884 to find John Smith was away in Harrogate with his seriously ill wife. In his absence JDH has made arrangements with [George] Nicholson. JDH last wrote to Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer from Edinburgh. JDH expresses surprise that [George Samuel] Jenman has refused to accompany Everard Ferdinand im Thurn [on his expedition to ascend Mt Roraima?] & suggests he might raise the money for Jenman to go 'as guest'. He is writing to Geological Society & the Royal Society on the matter. He asks if Thomas[?] Foster is going to Montreal. George Bentham has returned to Wilton Place. JDH asks how [William?] Watson's beautiful plan of the palm house should be represented in the guidebook, he thinks it is too complicated for a wood-cut.
Transcript
Kew
Aug[ust] 3[r]d / [18]84
Dear Dyer*1
We got back last night, to find poor [John] Smith*2 away, having been sent for from Harrogate -- as he might not see his wife alive: serious effusion having set in. I have however made with Nicholson*3 all arrangements for tomorrow, & written to Smith that he is not to hurry back, as I shall be here all the week.
I wrote to you just before leaving Edinburgh -- but had nothing particular to say.
I am amazed beyond measure at [George Samuel] Jenman's*4 refusal to go with [Everard Ferdinand] im Thurn*5 and indeed I am angry. What do you think of my telegraphing to him "go as guest" -- It would cost 48/- which I would gladly pay -- were I sure that it would not hamper im Thurn who has probably got another companion
Kew
Aug[ust] 3[r]d / [18]84
Dear Dyer*1
We got back last night, to find poor [John] Smith*2 away, having been sent for from Harrogate -- as he might not see his wife alive: serious effusion having set in. I have however made with Nicholson*3 all arrangements for tomorrow, & written to Smith that he is not to hurry back, as I shall be here all the week.
I wrote to you just before leaving Edinburgh -- but had nothing particular to say.
I am amazed beyond measure at [George Samuel] Jenman's*4 refusal to go with [Everard Ferdinand] im Thurn*5 and indeed I am angry. What do you think of my telegraphing to him "go as guest" -- It would cost 48/- which I would gladly pay -- were I sure that it would not hamper im Thurn who has probably got another companion
ere this. What do you say? -- I have written to im Thurn, but I am also writing about the money to the R[oyal] S[ociety], Geog[raphical]. Soc[iety]., & to Im Thurn's brother Is Tho[mas][?] Foster going to Montreal[?] ? --
Monday -- I have just heard from Smith. His wife has acute pain in the side, dropsy, fainting & vomiting & cannot be moved. He sends me the Doctor's letter which is very alarming.
[George] Bentham*6 is back at Wilton Place & writes saying that he is overtired by the journey & that he is not so well as he was 3 months ago.
I suppose you saw Watson's*7 beautiful & elaborate plan for the P[alm]. H[ouse]. what do you say to it. In respect of the Guide? -- it appears to me to be too complicated for a wood-cut that would require constant alterations.
Love to Harriet,
Yours aff[ectionate]ly J. D. Hooker [signature]
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. John Smith (1821--1888). Curator or 'head gardener' of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew from 1864--1886. His predecessor as Curator was also named John Smith.
3. George Nicholson (1847--1908). English horticulturalist and botanist. Started working at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in 1873 succeeding John Smith as Curator of the Gardens in 1886, until his own retirement due to ill health in 1901.
4. George Samuel Jenman (1845--1902). British gardener and botanist. Superintendent of Castleton Botanical Garden, Jamaica from 1873 to 1879, and Government Botanist and superintendent of the Botanical Gardens in British Guiana from 1879 to 1902.
5. Everard Ferdinand im Thurn (1852--1932). Author, explorer, botanist, photographer and British colonial administrator. In Dec 1884 he led the first successful expedition to the summit of Mount Roraima, in Venezuela. Curator of the British Guiana Museum from 1877 to 1882. Government agent in the North West District, British Guiana [Guyana], from 1891 to 1899. His particular interest was anthropological and ethnological subjects. He was also President of the Royal Anthropological Institute 1919--20.
6. George Bentham (1800--1884). British botanist who donated his herbarium of more than 100,000 specimens to Kew. He spent 27 years with Joseph Hooker in research and examination of specimens for the work Genera Plantarum, an influential work on plant taxonomy which is the foundation of many modern systems of classification.
7. Probably William Watson (1858--1925). British botanist and horticulturalist. Gardener at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew from 1879. Assistant Curator from 1886 and Curator from 1901--1902.
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