JDH writes that he is returning an initialled 'transfer' to Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer [WTTD]. He reports that he is recovering from his illness though still unsteady on his feet & suffering with a rash. He is glad to hear WTTD has recovered from a severe chill. He worries that [Edgar William] Foster will over exert himself. JDH rejoices that the collection of [James Edward] Winterbottom has come to RBG Kew, JDH had previously tried to get it from Winterbottom's brother, whom he also spoke to about Winterbottom's neglected tomb, which JDH visited in Rhodes. [William Botting] Hemsley informed JDH of the death of [Adrien René] Franchet, a great loss for the herbarium. JDH saw the notice of [Adolf] Ernest's death in the GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. JDH is concerned for [George] Nicholson & recommends he see [Doctor Philip Henry] Pye-Smith. JDH has heard of further magnificent collections sent to RBG Kew by [Augustine] Henry.
Transcript
THE CAMP,*1
SUNNINGDALE.
Feb[ruar]y 24 1900*2
My dear Dyer*3
I regret giving you so much trouble about the Transfer, which I return initialled.
I get steadily stronger, though still tottering, & troubled with a severe "rash", which is however said to be a good sign. I am glad to hear of your recovery from your severe chill:-- caught in a good cause. I hope that Mr. Foster*4 will not kill himself as he is far from a strong man.
The recovery of the Winterbottom
THE CAMP,*1
SUNNINGDALE.
Feb[ruar]y 24 1900*2
My dear Dyer*3
I regret giving you so much trouble about the Transfer, which I return initialled.
I get steadily stronger, though still tottering, & troubled with a severe "rash", which is however said to be a good sign. I am glad to hear of your recovery from your severe chill:-- caught in a good cause. I hope that Mr. Foster*4 will not kill himself as he is far from a strong man.
The recovery of the Winterbottom
collection*5 is very gratifying -- I tried in vain to get it from his brother -- who I also wrote about his brother's neglected tomb which I visited in Rhodes.
Hemsley*6 tells me of the death of Franchet*7 -- a very serious loss to our Herbarium -- & I see Ernst's*8 death (of Caracus) in the garden Gard[eners'] C[hronicle], -- at one time I had hopes of his giving his Herbarium to Kew.
Poor Nicholson!*9 I am greatly concerned. I shall be anxious to get Pye Smith's*9a opinion.
Hemsley tells me of further magnificent collections from Henry.*10
With best love to Harriet & Frances
Ever affectionately your | Jos D Hooker[signature]
1. Joseph Hooker had a residence built in Sunningdale, Berkshire called 'The Camp'. Completed in 1882 he lived there full time, with his second wife Hyacinth and their family, after retiring from RBG Kew in 1885.
2. This letter was also stamped at Kew on 26th February 1900 and an annotation records that it was 'ans[were]d 26.2.00'.
3. 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 the Royal Horticultural Society. He married Hooker's eldest daughter Harriet in 1877.
4. Edgar William Foster was a member of the gardening staff at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He left in 1900 to become the Curator of the Botanic Station in Lagos.
5. James Edward Winterbottom (1803--1854). Travelled in India, China and Indonesia. He died in Rhodes on the way home from the Orient and Egypt. Until 1900 his collection was in the possession of his family, but was then given to Kew.
6. William Botting Hemsley (1843--1924). English botanist. He started work at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, as an Improver, then Assistant for India in the Herbarium, and finally became Keeper of the Herbarium and Library.
7. Adrien René Franchet (1834--900). French botanist. He was based at the Paris Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, and wrote on the Flora of China and Japan. He was in constant communication with William Hemsley at Kew.
8. Adolf Ernst (1832--1899). Prussian botanist and entomologist who settled in Venezuela.
9. George Nicholson (1847--1908). English botanist and horticulturist entered the Civil Service in 1873 as Clerk to the Curator at Kew. In 1868 he was appointed Curator in succession to the late John Smith, until 1901, when ill-health forced his retirement.
9a. Philip Henry Pye-Smith (1839--1914). English physician, medical scientist and educator specialising in skin diseases.
10. Augustine Henry (1857--1930). Irish plantsman & sinologist, best known for sending over 15,000 dry specimens and seeds and 500 plant samples to Kew Gardens from China, where the flora was not well known.
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