The Camp
Sunningdale
Dec[embe]r. 17/[18]98 My dear Mrs Smith*1 I thank you very much for sending me "Road[?] making & sport in S. E. Africa", which I have read with great interest & profit, -- for it gives me a much clearer idea of the nature of the country traversed than I had possessed -- & of the difficulties to be overcome by your son which called forth all his father's energies & suppression of self in the

work he had in hand. How anxious you must have been during his absence, -- though I hope you did not hear of his Rhinoceros hunting [1 word illeg.] & narrow escapes. To have had two sons who spent years of active & indeed distinguished service in E. Africa, & returned to tell of their labours & their adventures, is not a boon granted to many parents.
You are I hope expecting soon to see your son & his wife from India -- they have been

doing some good botanical work, & are printing a fuller catalogue of Simla[?] Plants.
I hope you have good news from Bilboa[?].
Thank you for telling me of Sabina, please give my love to her when you write. I have always thought of her as a dear little sister of my younger days, the happiest of which were passed at Jordan Hill & the Baths[?].
With my wife's kindest regards
Ever most sinc[erel]y y[our]s | Jos D Hooker [signature]