ROYAL GARDENS KEW Dec[ember] 8/[18]77 My dear Elliot*1 I was very glad to hear of you again.
I had a splendid time in the States -- but did not see a single Buffalo; nor, though I travelled 300 miles in the Rocky M[oun]t[ain]s from N[orth] to S[outh], was I within 250 miles of any! The only way now to get a skull[?] is by purchase from

the dealers in Colorado except you have friends in the Buffalo region[?] We have granted Brown £300 from the Gov[ernmen]t. Fund for Meteorology -- I will, if you like, lay your letter before the Council R.S. but expect that your best plan is to send yourself to Lord Salisbury a copy of Stokes' letter to the Royals[?]. I am going to Hatfield on

the 19th & will speak to Lord S. about it -- I doubt the Council R.S. doing more than it has done. It has addressed the Royals, & would think it infra dig after that to worrit[?] him through the Se[cretar]y of State.
If Lord S. were to ask the Council R.S. opinion, it would of course give it. If I can I will suggest to Lord S. then referring your application to him to the R.S.

A year ago I urged Hodgson's classics on Lord S. vehemently, but, as with you, he did not respond at all: as with the D. of A., he did not see his way to hark back on classics half a century old. Then too no doubt Hodgson's leaving the Service in a pet has hurt him officially. Hodgson wanted K.C.B., & thinks nothing lower enough, but would have accepted K.C.S.I. My impression was & is, that C.B. & Knighthood would have met his case but he would not hear of it. You see that the K.C.B. & K.C.S.I. both imply unimpeachable public services -- & a Civilian[?] who cuts the service *2 is I suspect practically out of the running[?]. I am amazed at Lord S. making me a K.C.S.I. but he assured me it was for public services to India.
Hyacinth is quite well, but I have not seen her [1 word illeg.]
With my wife's kindest regards
E[ve]r[?] sin[cerel]y[?] y[ou]rs | (signed) Jos D Hooker