[[1]]
April 14/[18]90
The Camp
Dearest H[yacinth]. *1
Reggie [Reginald Hawthorn Hooker] returned this evening, having missed the 5.40
train -- for not being able to get his bag across in time.
The weather is lovely but rather cold. The Mare[?] is causing tensions. Mrs Rothey
has had another nibble at Ribsden, but the fact is she asks far too much; as I have
hinted to her -- every one says that £16000 is more like the value than 26000, that is
as things now go. I feel very sorry for her.
I went to day to the R[oyal]. Geograph[ical]. & afterward to the African Exhibition
[[2]] which though barbarous is very instructive -- I am sure the boys would like it.
[John Henry] Lefroy's funeral is to be on Wednesday near Winchfield, where he was
born. I shall drive to Farnborough & take the train on. I could go by Reading &
Basingstoke but the G[rea]t. W[estern]. & S[outh]. W[estern]. run it so fine that it
would be dangerous, & any way there would be long waiting at stations.
I have written to the son & said what I should for self & you to be communicated to
Lady[?] Lefroy.
I went up in the train with one of the young Mabets who told me that his mother was
at
[[3]] Brighton with a friend, & would not return to Englefield Green. The house is let
to a Mr Nares a relative, brother? of Sir G[eorge]. Nares *2.
Mrs & Miss King Chambers got out of the train I was in, & asked about you all.
I hear that Sir W[illiam]. Jervois has taken a house at Englefield Green -- he had
looked at Ribsden.
Ev[er] y[our] loving husband | J.D. Hooker [signature]
ENDNOTES
1. Lady Hyacinth Hooker née Symonds later Jardine (1843--1921). Joseph Hooker's
second wife, they married in 1876.
2. Vice--Admiral Sir George Strong Nares KCB FRS (1831--1915). British naval
officer and Arctic explorer. He commanded the first ship to pass through the Suez
Canal, the Challenger Expedition and the British Arctic Expedition.
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