[[1]]
[1885] *1
Royal Gardens,
Kew.
Wednesday
Dearest H[yacinth] *2
Poor Dr. Carpenter's *3 end was a sad one -- he was, as I am told, taking a sort of
vapor[sic] bath, when the covering took fire & he was so severely burnt that he died
shortly afterwards.
I have written to Mrs Carpenter, & you no doubt will too. Of course I shall go to the
funeral, leaving this for Gospel Oak station at 10.25 on Friday. This
[[2]] will prevent my getting away by the 1.9. -- I had better take the 3.25 from
Richmond I think & shall if I do not write to the contrary.
Ever your loving | J D Hooker [signature]
ENDNOTES
1. There is no year on this letter, but Dr. Carpenter, whose death is referenced in
the letter, died in 1885.
2. Lady Hyacinth Hooker, neé Symonds then Jardine (1843 -- 1921). Joseph
Hooker's second wife, they married in 1876.
3. Dr. William Benjamin Carpenter MD CB FRS (1813 -- 1885), was an English
physician, invertebrate zoologist & physiologist. He was instrumental in the early
stages of the unified University of London.
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