CHOONGTAM, August 8th, 1849. My dearest Mother, I am here all safe again, extremely busy with my collections. I wrote to my Father but a few days ago about my trip to the Pass at Lachen, [North Sikkim State] and that, as far as entering on the plateaux of Thibet [Tibet] and comparing the vegetation and snow line of both faces of the Himalayah [Himilaya], I am much gratified with my own success. I also said that an application had been made by Campbell *1 to defray my coolie expenses for this trip. Lord Dalhousie *2 has answered it, of course favourably, provided I agree to refund, if the E.I.C. *3 at home do not sanction it, which of course they will. This was offered me last winter on my return from Nepaul [Nepal], but I refused it. Again Hodgson *4, without my knowledge, and it should have been without my consent had I known it, wrote to Lord Dalhousie to suggest that my services demanded recognition and aid from the Indian Government. Lord Dalhousie answered that I was in no way recognised by the Indian Government, but that if any application came from myself he would be happy to forward it. I wrote at once to Lord Dalhousie, refusing to make an application on the grounds that my salary was sufficient, with the help that my Father gave;

that my desire was to prove to the E.I.C. that my motives in desiring a passage with my Lord were pure, and had no ulterior aim on the Indian purse, and that, had I known of Hodgson making such an application, I should have refused to sanction it. I added that Campbell had offered, on my return from Nepaul, [Nepal] to defray my coolie hire and food, which I then immediately declined, and that should I ever feel pecuniary pressure, I would write myself to my Lord at once. In the meantime, Campbell’s representation, of which I was equally ignorant, was before Lord Dalhousie and answered favourably! Lord Dalhousie is a thorough niggard of public money, and woe is Kew, when he shall be Chancellor. I firmly believe he would rather give from his own pocket. This double pressure of my claims on him, by individuals of rank in Government service and well able to appreciate, must lift me up in Lord Dalhousie's eyes, even did / I want a hitch, which I am sure I do not. This will save me full £100 in one year, and as I am spending absolutely nothing but on my collections and correspondence here, I am very well off. Hodgson won't let me pay for a scrap of food, and as he is very well off and has a great larder and garden, I do not hesitate to receive as freely as he gives generously.

Now that I can afford it, I want to do a thing that I have long set my heart upon, to get my Father's great telescope put in order and sent out to me; it is a great pity so fine an instrument should be useless on a shelf, and here it would be invaluable to me. I wanted very much to take it out with me. but could not afford the repairs. It wants a new steady stand and rack-work, and that is all; if my Father approves, as I doubt not he will, pray send it to Carey * 5 or Dolland, *6 either are excellent; Carey the cheapest I should think, and let him supply it with a good steady tripod stand and rack--work that will fit into the case, and if he can suggest any extra power for observing the eclipses of Jupiter's satellites, or for other celestial or terrestrial purposes, I am willing to spend £10 or £12 on that above what the stand will cost. He must do it at once and let it come out overland, at whatever cost -- no money can compensate the loss of time, delays and destructions of the Cape passage. Adie's [?] box is all smashed and out of order, and I have lost ten times the difference of the charge en route - it was a year reaching my hands! All the overland boxes arrive in perfect order. I declare I would willingly give £20 for that big telescope, even as it is, to have it here or at Darjeeling now. Also, please ask my Father to send me all Newman's *7 bills, three, I think; and Adie's bill, if he can lay his hand

upon them, as I sell my instruments to profit here and don't know the prices. In Calcutta [Kolkata] all these instruments are charged double for, and people are extremely glad to get mine at the price I gave, and cover that of the carriage of the box. Of course I make no profit but it is all a clear gain. To what instrument you refer, as to be had from Newman's agent in Calcutta, [Kolkata] I have not the least idea; you told me nothing of it. Scott, Thomson & Co., Newman's agents, charge exactly double of Newman's London prices, and have a very small assortment. What I asked about was a Kater's Azimuth Compass of 4 inches radius, with black glass reflector and ball and socket-joint for a stand, from Carey. The one I use was kindly lent me by Capt. Thuillier [?], the Deputy Surveyor General; to replace this instrument would cost me £l4, whereas I think Carey should not charge more than £6 for a first-rate one. I doubt not you will be glad that Borneo is done up as far as I am concerned. Best love to Bessy *6, to whom I will write soon, and to Frances[?]; but I have a heavy mail to answer just at present.
Ever your affectionate son, JOS. D. HOOKER. [Signature]