JDH informs Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer that he has written to [John] Lubbock to arrange a meeting. He thinks WTTD can make a better plan for 'the offices' than John Lessels [of The Office of Works]. Smith has had a mild heart attack but expects to be back at work at RBG Kew in a day. JDH praises the rock garden. JDH is digesting [James Edward Tierney] Aitchison's letter, JDH wrote to Aitchison about his rose a moth previously. JDH will return to RBG Kew on Monday, 27 July 1885.
Transcript
I have taken Aitchison's*5 letter to decipher & digest. I have written to him about his Rose, a month ago.
I shall be at Kew on Monday.
Love to Harriet*6
Ever aff[ectionatel]y y[our]s J. D. Hooker [signature]
Royal Gardens Kew
Friday 24/7/[18]85*1a
My dear Dyer*1
I am writing to [John] Lubbock*2 that Tuesday will not suit me. -- any other day would.
I am sure you can make an ( [infinitely] better plan of the Offices than [John] Lessells*3. -- the position of which puzzle me.
I have just seen Smith*4, who has had one of his heart attacks, but mild. & expects to be all right again tomorrow. -- He had not sent for D[octo]r Andrews. The Rock Garden is gorgeous --
I have taken Aitchison's*5 letter to decipher & digest. I have written to him about his Rose, a month ago.
I shall be at Kew on Monday.
Love to Harriet*6
Ever aff[ectionatel]y y[our]s J. D. Hooker [signature]
1a. The date on this letter has been added in pencil in another hand.
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. Sir John Lubbock, Baronette, later 1st Baron Avebury (1834--1913). Banker, politician, and scientist. Friend and neighbour of Darwin.
3. John Lessels (1833--1914). Scottish architect. Employee of the Ministry of Works. From 1876 to 1894 he was the Ministry's Surveyor of the Country District, which included the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and he was accordingly responsible for all the buildings at RBG Kew.
4. 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.
5. James Edward Tierney Aitchison (1836--1898). Scottish surgeon and botanist. Entered the Bengal Medical service and collected plants throughout India and Afghanistan.
6. Harriet Anne Thiselton-Dyer née Hooker (1854--1945). Oldest child of Joseph Hooker and his first wife Frances. Botanical illustrator and wife of William Turner Thiselton--Dyer. Her husband was Assistant Director of RBG Kew (1875--1885) and later Director (1885--1905), succeeding her father.
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