JDH writes to Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer about his plans to meet with Algernon Freeman-Mitford, Secretary to the Office of Works, on returning to RBG Kew. JDH wishes to discuss with Mitford where to put more offices, potentially the Directors' House or Kew Palace. JDH writes of the decline of John Smith's health & control as Curator of RBG Kew. Smith has promised JDH that all the mould from the [glass] houses will go to the arboretum, & first to the starving horse chestnuts. JDH will be glad to return to Kew, though his hosts at Alderley Grange, the Hodgsons, are very kind.
Transcript
Alderley Grange
Oct[ober] 23d [18]/85
My dear Dyer*1
I am indeed sorry to hear of your cold, & cannot think the Office a place to be cured in. I propose seeing Mitford*2 as soon as I return & feeling my way with him. I wish I could see any more likely plan for Offices than the Director's House -- My first object will be to overthrow the Palace as an Office.
Yes, Smith's*3 hand is as firm as of yore, & I remarked the improvement before he left: I do believe however that he acknowledges that his position & duties are not what they were, any more than his strength & energys[sic]. He promised me, that the spent[?] mould of the Houses, should all
Alderley Grange
Oct[ober] 23d [18]/85
My dear Dyer*1
I am indeed sorry to hear of your cold, & cannot think the Office a place to be cured in. I propose seeing Mitford*2 as soon as I return & feeling my way with him. I wish I could see any more likely plan for Offices than the Director's House -- My first object will be to overthrow the Palace as an Office.
Yes, Smith's*3 hand is as firm as of yore, & I remarked the improvement before he left: I do believe however that he acknowledges that his position & duties are not what they were, any more than his strength & energys[sic]. He promised me, that the spent[?] mould of the Houses, should all
go to the Arboretum, & first of all to the sunk ground[?] at the starving Horse chestnuts. I took him there myself -- & he said he would have it done at once.
The weather here is wretched, & I have been out but once. I shall be glad to get back, though they are so kind*4.
With united love to Harriet & kindest regards to self
E[ve]r y[ou]r aff[ectionat]e | Jos. D. Hooker[signature]
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.
3. 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.
4. Joseph Hooker was staying at Alderley Grange the residence of Brian Houghton Hodgson (1801--1894) and his wife Susan (Susie) Hodgson née Townshend (1844--1912). Brian Hodgson was a pioneer naturalist and ethnologist who worked in India and Nepal where he was a British civil servant. Joseph Hooker stayed at Hodgson’s house in Darjeeling periodically during his expedition to India and the Himalayas, 1847--1851, and named one of his sons after him. The Hodgson's took up residence at Alderley Grange in 1867.
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