Simon's Bay, Cape of Good Hope. April 4th, 1840.
My dear Mother, Though I have to write against the wind, I take up my pen to tell you with what pleasure I have received a letter from my father, directed to Madeira, and dated October 5th. It was brought here during my absebce[absence] at Cape Town, from which place I returned yesterday, and from having to get another box made for my plants &c. have been so busy that, till the present moment, when we are weighing anchor, I have not had time to sit down and fulfil an intention I had harbored, of sending you a very long letter, dilating[detailing?] on what has befallen me since anchoring here. Whenever the breeze springs up we set sail, so you must not wonder that I may abruptly terminate this. So poor William*1 has gone to Jamaica! if you but knew how often I think and dream of him, you would not be surprised at the sorrow I felt, that he should have parted from you, though it is doubtless for the best. poor Isabella is left behind and likely to add to our family at home. This may in some respects be a pity; but I feel sure it will be a delight, especially to my sisters, to take charge of the child, until my return, when I shall consider it my own, should it be better to leave it behind than to take it to a foreign country, or should any other circumstances demand another father for it. I wish very much I had received that letter before, as I had intended to send my brother a cheque, which I can well spare - it is now too late: and I am sure money must be wanted; he need not look upon it as a gift; at any rate it would be but as a poor recompense for all the

kindness I have received at the poor fellow's hands. The child I do hope to bring up; and you must tell that to my future housekeeper, Maria*2, to whom I send my best love. Baron Ludwig*3 has just lost his wife, and so could show me no attention when I called first. On again calling a week afterwards he gave me several presents. Among others Harvey's*4 Cape book and a picture for my father of the Ludwigsbourg Gardens, of which I have a full account to send home when copied out, as of the Constantia wines and vineyards, which are very curious. The Baron has, I find, no further honor in his own country than being called Baron snuffy. I have heard more of him than I care to repeat. During my stay in Cape Town I boarded. Everything is extravagantly dear. Ecklon*5, another Cape Botanist, has gone mad. We go now to Possession Island, one of the Crozets, where there is a seal fishery established. My next collection will be sent from Van Diemen's Land*6 and will, I hope, contain some good things, especially Algae from the Southern regions. I shall also send some duplicates of the present collection, along with a few minerals, &c. The plants sent are in tolerably good order; the cockroaches attacked them the other day and ate away the stem of the Commidendron from St Helena, and one or two others which I had not time to replace from the duplicate collection. The excessive damp of the ship has been my worst enemy, requiring me to take them on [and] dry them almost daily in the tropics. The pine cones I have had netted, for which I paid a glass of grog. I have a good many sketches, small things which I shall send home by some opportunity, or they will be

claimed on my return. I ran out of drawing paper long ago, and laid in a new stock at a tremendous price here. I also had to buy some at St Helena for 4/-per sheet. Washing is enormously expensive everywhere but here. Now that letters go for 8d all over Britain, I do not care to send single ones through Capt. Beaufort*7, as I fear the letters my father must have sent through him have miscarried. I write to Mary*8 and Bessy*9 at Kensington because they are alone, and may not at once hear of me; and further I think it pleases them to address them separately. How does Maria get on with her drawing? Does she practise music any more? I wish she would. Tell my father to remember me most particularly to Mr Arnott*10, Dr Graham, Mr Children, and Mr Murray. I intended to have sent him the account of the Ludwig gardens, but have not time just now. Adamson and Mitchell I must also write to from V[an].D[iemen’s].Land, also to Mr Lyell*11, my most kind friend. Mr Harvey is expected here again. I need not say I am more anxious to hear my father's opinion of my plants than anything else; he may depend upon my best exertions in collecting. The plants go home by the Lord Lynedock Transport, and are sent to the Admiralty. Capt Ross*12 sends a letter requesting Capt Beaufort to forward them to Glasgow forthwith. My best love to all. | Believe me, dear Mother, | Your most affectionate Son, | JOS. D. HOOKER.