JDH writes to Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer [WTTD] concerned about his health. JDH believes that WTTD has overworked himself and needs relief. JDH understands that Sir David Prain might be employed should the Secretary of State for India allow it and JDH asks if he can be of any help by giving the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture his point of view on the matter. JDH says that he would assure the Secretary that he was working for the interests of Kew as much as for a family member [i.e. his son in law WTTD]. Advises WTTD to go to the Ferns to await developments, which JDH will advise him of by telegraph.
Transcript
July 4 1905*1
THE CAMP,
SUNNINGDALE.
My dear Dyer*2
You have been in my thoughts ever since we parted on Monday, & I cannot tell you how deeply concerned I am by what you had told [me] of the state of your health, & how anxious it makes me.
It is clear to me that you have overworked yourself to a crisis & that you must have instant relief.
I gathered from you that such relief might be obtained by the employment of Prain*3
July 4 1905*1
THE CAMP,
SUNNINGDALE.
My dear Dyer*2
You have been in my thoughts ever since we parted on Monday, & I cannot tell you how deeply concerned I am by what you had told [me] of the state of your health, & how anxious it makes me.
It is clear to me that you have overworked yourself to a crisis & that you must have instant relief.
I gathered from you that such relief might be obtained by the employment of Prain*3
under the sanction of your Chief & of the Sec[retar]y of State for India, & I write to ask you if I can be of any use in this matter by seeking an interview with the Sec[retar]y of the Board of Agriculture, & giving him my view of the urgency of the case.
Of course I should, if he grants me an interview, assure him that I was acting solely at my own instigation in the interest of the Establishment of Kew as much as in that of an overworked member of my own family.
If you approve of my suggestion,
as I hope you will, I would strongly advise to go at once to the Ferns & await developments there, & I will telegraph results to you. Do rest your brain at once.
Ever y[our]s affect[ionatel]y | Jos. D. Hooker[signature]
1. The letter is stamped as having been received at Kew on 7 July 1905 and annotated as having been answered on the same day.
2. 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. Previously held professorships at the Royal Agricultural College Cirencester, Royal College of Science for Ireland and Royal Horticultural Society. Married Hooker's eldest daughter Harriet in 1877.
3. Sir David Prain (1857 -- 1944). Scottish physician and botanist; Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Calcutta and Professor of Botany at the Medical College of Calcutta (1898 -- 1905); Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (1905--1922).
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