JDH writes that he is waiting to hear whether the Royal Society has accepted the proposal that it undertake the work on Sir Wyville Thomson's specimens [from the HMS 'Challenger' expedition]. If the suggestion is approved JDH will submit a detailed plan. The plan has already been prepared, a complex procedure as a work of such scope has never been undertaken before. The plan will ask for £3500 for 1877-1878 for the publication of the work. JDH asks Smith to authorise the submission of the plan to the Navy[?].
Transcript
The Royal Society,
Burlington House, London. W.*1
Kew
Dec 19/[18]76
Dear Mr Smith*1a
We are waiting my Lords' [word illeg crossed through] to approvingal or otherwise[?] the contra[?]*2 of the views set forth therein in Par[agraph] 20 of letter of last week*3 letter for S[ecretar]y R[oyal] S[ociety] & if favourable, we will send details for whether they deem that the P[resident].&.C[ouncil] of the[?] R[oyal] S[ociety] should undertake the general spec[imen]s[?] of Sir W Thomson[']s*4 work. Upon receipt of this we will send a detailed plan of operation & Situation
The Royal Society,
Burlington House, London. W.*1
Kew
Dec 19/[18]76
Dear Mr Smith*1a
We are waiting my Lords' [word illeg crossed through] to approvingal or otherwise[?] the contra[?]*2 of the views set forth therein in Par[agraph] 20 of letter of last week*3 letter for S[ecretar]y R[oyal] S[ociety] & if favourable, we will send details for whether they deem that the P[resident].&.C[ouncil] of the[?] R[oyal] S[ociety] should undertake the general spec[imen]s[?] of Sir W Thomson[']s*4 work. Upon receipt of this we will send a detailed plan of operation & Situation
which I have drawn up (asking for £3500 for 1877-- 8). We have worked hard to get this ready & there being[?] no precedent for such a work has made innumerable[?] inquiries necessary.
We have had great difficulty in preparing this, owing to the want of precedent for so great an undertaking, the variety of objects to be published & the conflicting interests & opinions.
A line from you would be sufficient (if time is an object[?]) to authorise our sending the plan etc[?] to the Navy[?]
(J.D.Hooker)*5
1. The Royal Society address is crossed through diagonally with a single pen stroke.
1a. Probably William Henry Smith (1825--1891). English bookseller and newsagent of the family firm W.H. Smith, he was at this time Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1874--1877). He was later First Lord of the Admiralty (1877--1880), twice Secretary of State for War, Chief Secretary for Ireland, First Lord of the Treasury and Leader of the House of Commons.
2. The words ' the contra ' appear below the crossed out 'otherwise'.
3. The words 'Par[agraph] 20 of letter of last week' are circled and with a caret to show where they should appear.
4. Sir Charles Wyville Thomson (1830--1882). Scottish naturalist and marine zoologist who served as the chief scientist on the Challenger expedition (1872--1876).
5. This would appear to be a draft letter to which Hooker has added his name in brackets, and with no valediction.
Please note that work on this transcript is ongoing. Users are advised to study electronic image(s) of this document where possible.
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