JDH refers to an enclosed item [not present] which is intended for RBG Kew but would be better suited to the Royal Horticultural Society [RHS]. JDH has received a long letter from John Smith (1798-1888) complaining about the way he was treated by JDH & his father Sir William Jackson Hooker. JDH's father in law Reverend William Samuel Symonds is ill & has delayed coming to 'The Camp', Sunningdale. JDH [& his wife Hyacinth Hooker] are to go & stay with the Tyndales. On his return JDH will meet with Mr Hervey[?] at the herbarium.
Transcript
THE CAMP,
SUNNINGDALE.
May 21 [18]/87
Dear Dyer*1
The enclosed tells its own tale. They are no doubt meant for Kew, but the Hort. Socy. would be a better destination.
I have this morning received per J. Smith*2, aetat*3 88, 13 closely written foolscap pages of his greivances[sic] against my father, & now against self! Who he says was "wont to make fun of him"
THE CAMP,
SUNNINGDALE.
May 21 [18]/87
Dear Dyer*1
The enclosed tells its own tale. They are no doubt meant for Kew, but the Hort. Socy. would be a better destination.
I have this morning received per J. Smith*2, aetat*3 88, 13 closely written foolscap pages of his greivances[sic] against my father, & now against self! Who he says was "wont to make fun of him"
as was observed by the Foreman!
I had seen or heard nothing of him since I left Kew, or for months before it. -- His letter is a tissue of misstatements & fabrications, & I am puzzled how to answer acknowledge it, ever so curtly.
Mr Symonds*4 is again very weak & has put off our going down & his coming here. We go to Tyndales today till Monday.
E[ve]r aff[ectionatel]y y[our]s | Jos. D. Hooker[signature]
Love to Harriet who seems really better.
Mr Hervey[?] came yesterday, he is most anxious to be useful -- a very pleasant man but in evident very bad health. I am to meet him at the Herb[ariu]m on Tuesday.
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. John Smith (1798--1888). Botanist and first Curator or 'head gardener' of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, appointed in 1841.
3. Abbreviation for Aetatis. Latin, meaning: at the age of.
4. Reverend William Samuel Symonds (1818--1887). English geologist; father of Joseph Hooker's wife Hyacinth Hooker.
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