Hooker, Sir Joseph Dalton
JHC512
The Camp, Sunningdale, Berkshire, United Kingdom
JDH/2/16 f.155
Thiselton-Dyer, Sir William Turner
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
26-1-1897
© Descendants of Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
Letters to Thiselton-Dyer
The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
English
Original MS
4 page letter over 1 folio
 

JDH says that he will investigate the Cypripedia when he is next at Kew. He reports that the Indian Orchideae [in FLORA OF BRITISH INDIA?] need thorough revision. He says that he had not heard of the discovery of Antherozoids in Cycas or Salisburia. Declares that [Sir Robert Falcon] Scott's research interests him. Mentions that he does not credit [Thomas] Hanbury's right to the title of Marquis any more than [Ferdinand von] Mueller's to a Baronial title. JDH is currently re-reading Boswell's Johnson: A SONG OF DEGREES, also mentions a book on Japan by an American author that he says has given him a clearer idea of ancestor worship & the oriental mind-set. Professor Morris of Melbourne wrote to compliment JDH on the publication of Joseph Banks' journal. JDH says that he looked for Myersii in Part 1 of the Kew arboretum until [George] Nicholson advised that it was in the Temperate House, however it should be hardy in the Bamboo Garden. JDH is glad that the Temperate House is to be completed, it will be a credit to Thiselton-Dyer [WTTD]. Hopes that WTTD got sufficient help during his recent illness and wonders if he would be able to travel to the Canary Islands or Madeira.

Transcript

crude ideas.
I never could sympathize with Hanbury's*4 Marquisate -- any more than with Mueller's*5 Baronial dignity. As a friend I am truly sorry for the vexation of it; but he had no business in that gallery.
I shall get Fytte -- I am rereading Boswell's Johnson -- "A" Song of Degrees".--
Have you seen "Koro Koro[?]," a little book on Japan by an American which has given me a clearer idea of "Ancestor worship", & of the "inwards" (as the brothers[?] say) of the Oriental mind as contrasted with the occidental, than I previously had

Page 1


26 Ja[nuar]y / [18]97*1
THE CAMP, SUNNINGDALE.
My dear Dyer*2,
As soon as I can get to Kew I will go into the matter of the Cypripedia. The Indian Orchideae want revision throughout -- the task was too heavy a one for a Flora that had to be brought out within a reasonable period, & my copy is full of notes errata and addenda.
I had not heard of the discovery of Antherozoids in Cycas & Salisburia -- it is a very far reaching one.
Scott's*3 researches interest me greatly, though overleaping my

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crude ideas.
I never could sympathize with Hanbury's*4 Marquisate -- any more than with Mueller's*5 Baronial dignity. As a friend I am truly sorry for the vexation of it; but he had no business in that gallery.
I shall get Fytte -- I am rereading Boswell's Johnson -- "A" Song of Degrees".--
Have you seen "Koro Koro[?]," a little book on Japan by an American which has given me a clearer idea of "Ancestor worship", & of the "inwards" (as the brothers[?] say) of the Oriental mind as contrasted with the occidental, than I previously had

Page 3

I have had a nice letter from a Melbourne Prof. (Morris) appreciation of Banks[']*6 Journal &c.
Anent Myersii, I stupidly lookd looked for it in Part I of the Kew arboretum! Nicholson*7 told me that you had it only in the Temp[erate] House. It ought to be hardy: -- say in the Bamboo Garden.
I am heartily glad that the latter Temp[erate]. House is to be completed -- it will be the big thing of your reign, though a very small matter compared with your other vast improvements.
How I do wish that you saw your way to efficient assistance during your harassing illness. I wonder how a sea voyage would suit you? Even if only to Madeira or the Canaries.

Page 4

Until you told me I had no notion that you had open sores.
I have read Hameston, it is a very poor book, but I was glad to see the notice of you & Harriet.
Ever aff[ectionatel]y y[ou]rs,|Jos.D. Hooker[signature]

ENDNOTES


1. The letter has postmark 'ROYAL GARDENS KEW 27 JAN. 97' stamped at the start of the letter.
2. 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.
3. Sir Robert Falcon Scott (1869--1912). British polar explorer.
4. Sir Thomas Hanbury (1832--1907). English businessman, gardener and philanthropist. He built the Giardini Botanici Hanbury at Mortola. Founder of Hanbury & Co., merchants in silk and tea, later Bower, Hanbury & Co. trading mainly from Shanghai, China, he became extremely wealthy. His elder brother was the botanist and pharmacologist Daniel Hanbury.
5. Ferdinand von Mueller (1892--1896). German botanist, physician and geographer. Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne and founder of the National Herbarium of Victoria
6. Sir Joseph Banks, 1st Baronet (1743--1820). English naturalist and botanist, held the position of President of the Royal Society for over 41 years. He advised King George III on the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and by sending botanists around the world to collect plants, he made Kew the world's leading botanical gardens. In 1896 Joseph Hooker edited and had published The Journal of the Right Honourable Sir Joseph Banks During Captain Cook's First Voyage.
7. George Nicholson (1847--1908). Horticulturalist. Worked at Kew from 1873 to 1908 when ill health forced his retirement.

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