JDH offers his assistance to Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer in the matter of the RBG Kew library catalogue. [Sir John?] Evans has approached JDH about a scheme for transferring RBG Kew's Cryptogamic collection to the British Museum [of Natural History]. JDH would not discuss the matter with Evans but informs WTTD of his strong objection to breaking up the RBG Kew herbarium collection built up by JDH & his father, Sir William Jackson Hooker. He suspects Evans wanted to relocate the Musci & algae in particular. JDH describes the herbarium in total as representing the 'Botany of the Century' & says to divide it would be 'emasculation'. Particularly considering WJH's early career as a cryptogamist & JDH's own publications & collections from Antarctica.
Transcript
him, & he said nothing -- but I seriously hope that if any such proposition is made that it will not be entertained. The Kew Herbarium is, as it stands, one & indivisible, as the representation in all Orders but the lower Algae, of the Botany of the Century; & is the work, for 80 years of it, of two individuals, & it further contains the evidences of all that these two hands published..
Probably, the Musci & algae are what Evans had in view -- -- to rob the collection of which would indeed be pulling up
March 21/96
THE CAMP,
SUNNINGDALE.
My dear Dyer*1
I have been long concocting this letter to you about the Library Catalogue -- you must deal with it as you think fit; & let me know if I can in any way assist with your project.
Evans*2 came up to me the other day, about some scheme for transferring a part of the Kew cryptogamic collection to the British Museum which he had in his head -- I would not enter into the matter with
him, & he said nothing -- but I seriously hope that if any such proposition is made that it will not be entertained. The Kew Herbarium is, as it stands, one & indivisible, as the representation in all Orders but the lower Algae, of the Botany of the Century; & is the work, for 80 years of it, of two individuals, & it further contains the evidences of all that these two hands published..
Probably, the Musci & algae are what Evans had in view -- -- to rob the collection of which would indeed be pulling up
the tree by the roots; remembering my father's*3 early career as a Cryptogamist, & my Antarctic Collections & publications.
I am quite of [the] opinion that no great expense should be incurred in us increasing these orders, or in forming a collection of minute algae &c -- but to remove what are there, & upon which the Herbarium was founded as it were, would be emasculation.
Ever affy[affectionately] yr[yours]
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. Probably Sir John Evans (1823--1908). English archaeologist and geologist. President of the Society of Antiquaries from 1885 to 1892, in which role he was ex officio trustee of the British Museum, he subsequently became a permanent trustee.
3. Sir William Jackson Hooker, (1785--1865). Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 1841--1865.
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