[[1]]
Royal Gardens Kew
Nov[ember] 4/[18]85
Dearest H[yacinth]. *1
I am glad that you declined the Busks. I shall have a long afternoon at the R[oyal].
S[ociety]. & the X Club *2 after it.
Willy [William Henslow Hooker] came to me early this morning with a frightful[?]
neuralgia in the face. I have got him to put on a hot poultice & if possible keep in
bed. He never knew before what great pain was.
I too am disinclined to go amongst friends. No news
[[2]] from the Board -- I am writing an official resignation & plodding along at Flora
Indica.
I am sorry to hear of your Chest cold -- take care not to increase it.
All is quiet here. Smith wonderfully vigorous! Rain Rain -I I[nglis]. Palgrave *3 recommends my selling some books & China this I shall set
about when
[[3]] the retirement is settled -- as I shall have the excuse of smaller house & reduced
income -Ever your dearest | J.D. Hooker [signature]
Did you order a Robinson Crusoe or shall I get one at Stores[?] tomorrow?
ENDNOTES
1. Lady Hyacinth Hooker née Symonds later Jardine (1843--1921). Joseph Hooker's
second wife, they married in 1876.
2. The X Club was a dining club of nine men who supported the theories of natural
selection and academic liberalism in late 19th century England. The members of the
club were: Joseph Dalton Hooker, George Busk, Thomas Archer Hirst, Edward
Frankland, John Lubbock, Herbert Spencer, William Tyndall, William Spottiswoode
Thomas Henry Huxley, who was the club's founder.
3. Inglis Palgrave (1827-1919). A British economist and Joseph Hooker's cousin on
his mother's side.
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