DARJEELING. To Lady Hooker*1`. April 15th. 1849. (recd. June 5) My dearest Mother, I really forget how long a time has elapsed since I addressed you, for I am now extremely busy with my collections; but I fear I may have neglected both you and Frances*2. Your last letter, finished on the 18th Feb[ruary], reached me 3 days ago. You therein ask "whether I remembered that a year and a quarter had passed since I quitted England." Alas! my memory is not of that turn. Perhaps if I were to encumber my brain with dates and bygone events, it might be more useless than it is, and I might only be tempted to indulge needless regrets. I should then do little work and become more of a beggar than I am. This world is given us to make the best of it, and so I hope to be enabled to do. We, Mr. Hodgson*3 and I, have been sadly plagued about the charts for the Hindu Schools, which are how being prepared by Professor Berghaus*4, under the superintendence of the good and generous Humboldt*5. You may like to know somewhat of this matter, and, perhaps you are not aware that Col. Outram*6, disapproving, in toto, of the Scinde affairs, gave up the whole share of the Scinde Prize--money to Educational purposes in India. One hundred pounds was sent to Mr Hodgson with a request that he would apply it as he thought most conducive towards this subject. He and

I agreed, that a set of maps, illustrating in the simplest manner, Geography, both Natural and Physical, would be an excellent object. Mr Hodgson added £50 of his own, and I applied, by his desire, to Sabine*7 and Herschell*8, and received the kindest possible replies by return of post. Humboldt went so far as to draw out the whole plan himself, and secure Berghaus services at once for the work, promising his counsel and guidance throughout, and even causing the charts to be commenced in the meantime. When, lo and behold! the Government recalls Col.[onel] Outram's Prize--money, leaving Mr Hodgson of course, to pay all. We then offered the MSS. etc. to the Council of Education, who return for answer, that they have no funds. I at once applied to Lord Dalhousie*9, who generously assures me that the needful sum shall be forthcoming by some means or other, and desires that the work may proceed. The Council of Education too, will apply for a separate grant in its favour. So, after a world of bother, besides the risk of losing a work, which should have the advantage of Humboldt s superintendence, and of his name on the title-page, we are all square. As, however, it is possible that the Council of Education may have the presumption to suggest alterations on Humboldt's prospectus, I have written to Berghaus not to proceed any farther till he hears again. If any portion of the work, amounting to 5 or 6 charts and some pages of Letter-Press

be forthcoming, he is to send them to my father, who has kindly offered to be the Agent for the money--affair. Humboldt asks that, on the receipt of such a portion, half the stipulated sum, £75, be paid as Berghaus may direct. But do not forward that portion to us, for it will, in all probability, require translation in London. What do you say to my taking Gardner's*10 place at Ceylon*11? I cannot think that you would like it. I have not yet heard from Lord Torrington*12 on the subject, and I have so little idea that my father would consider it a thing suited to my views, that I shall conditionally decline it, when I send my answer to his Lordship's letter, (which is said to be on the way hither). I am truly happy to hear that dear Bessy*13 is better, and I hope you have now fine weather, of which we see very little here. Your birthday is, I believe, in this month, and several days have occurred to me as the right anniversary; thus you must kindly accept of my thoughts, as extended over a considerable portion of time, though not perhaps on the right day. I wrote to my dear Grandmother by this mail; my father having said she would be kindly glad to hear from me; I only wish my letter may afford her gratification, for I hardly know how to express my sincere sympathy. I recognise your hand most thankfully throughout my Journals, though with all your corrections, there is often much

tautology, and I see you let some flimsy bits stand, which deserve to be struck out. Pray erase freely, or I shall be afraid to write. I have been revising my Tonglo Journal twice in order to improve it, and it is now off for Calcutta, and will, I suppose, go by the May mail. Such quantities of writing, especially journalling, have lately required to be done, that my hand is quite crippled. The Journal of my late Expedition is mo finished, and fills nearly 300 pages. Fancy, my dearest mother, the task of copying it for my father! and I dare not part with the original for fear of accidents. Pray give my love to my dear sister and Frances. I have begun a letter to F., but I cannot possibly complete and send it by this mail, and I will thank you to say so to her. Ever your most affectionate son, (signed) JOSEPH D. HOOKER. The Polka Jacket suits both me and this climate remarkably well, and is the nicest garment possible. I should therefore like to have another of the same colour, deep purple, edged with red. Ask Bessy to make me a pair of slippers.