[[1]]
Choongtam
August 8/[18]49
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 & that as far as entering
on the plateaux of Thibet [Tibet] & comparing the vegetation & snow line of both
faces of the Himalayah I am much gratified with my own success. I also said that
an application had been made by Campbell to defray my coolie expenses for this
trip, Lord D[alhousie]. has answered it of course favourably provided I agree to
refund if the HEIC [Honorable East India Company]. at home do not sanction it:
which of course they will. This was offered me last year winter on my return from
Nepal, but I refused it. Again Hodgson without my knowledge, & it should have
been without my consent had I known it wrote to Lord D[alhousie]. to suggest that
my services demanded recognition & aid from the Indian Govt. -- Lord D[alhousie].
answered that I was in no way recognised by the Indian Govt. & that but if any
application came from myself he would be happy to forward it. I wrote at once to
Lord D[alhousie]. refusing to make an application
[[2]] on the grounds that the my salary was sufficient with the help my Father gave.
That my desire was to prove to the E.I.C. [East India Company] that my motives in
desiring a passage with my Lord were pure & had no ulterior aim on the Indian
purse & that had I known of H[odgson]'s. making such an application I should have
refused to sanction it. I added that C[ampbell]. had offered on my return from
Nepal to defray my coolie hire & food which I then immediately declined. & that
should I ever feel pecuniary pressure I would write myself to my Lord at once. In
the mean time Campbell's representation of which I was equally ignorant was
before Lord D[alhousie]. & answered favorably! Lord D[alhousie]. is a thorough
niggard of public money & woe is Kew when he shall be Chancellor. I firmly
believe he would rather give me from his own pocket. -- This double pressure of
my claims on him, by individuals of rank in Govt service & well able to appreciate,
must lift me up in Lord D[alhosie]s. eyes Ever did I want a pitch, which I am sure I
do not.
This will save me full £100 in one year & as I am spending absolutely nothing but
on my collections & correspondence here
[[3]] I am very well off -- Hodgson won't let me pay for a scrap of food & as he is
very well off & has a great larder & garden I do not hesitate to receive as freely as be
given generously. All the Indian world is in love with my Rhododendron book; &
extracts from my Tonglo journal which I sent to the Asiatic Soc[iety']s. Journal have
been praised in all the public papers, really the feeling towards me thus displayed
by perfect strangers is very gratifying.
Now that I can afford it -- I want to do a thing I have long set my heart upon, to get
my Father's great Telescope put in order & sent out to me. it is a great pity so fine
an instrument should lie useless on a shelf & 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 & rack work & that is all if my Father approves as I doubt not he
will, pray send it to Carey or Dolland, either are excellent, Carey the cheapest I
should think & let him supply it with a good steady tripod stand & rack work that will
fit into the case. & if he can suggest any extra power, for observing the Eclipses of
Jupiter 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 & let it
come out overland at whatever cost = no money can compensate the loss of time,
delays & destructions of the cape passage. Adies box is all
[[4]] smashes & out of order & 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 £30 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
Newmans bills 3 I think & Adies bills if he can lay his hands upon them -- As I sell my
instruments to profit here. & don't know the prices. In Calcutta all these
instruments are charged double for, & people are extremely glad to get mine at the
prices I gave, & 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: Calcutta, I have
not the least Idea you told me nothing of it -- Scott, Thomson &c, Newman's agents,
charge exactly double of N[ewman]'s London prices. & have a very small
assortment. What I asked about -- was an Katers Azimuth Compass of 4 inches
radius with black glass reflecting & ball & socket joint, for a stand, from Carey -- The one I
use was kindly lent me by Capt Thuillier, the Dep[uty]. Surgeon General on whose
recent promotion I had the opportunity of doing him a little service. to replace this
instrument would cost me £14. 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 to whom I will write soon & to Frances but I have a heavy mail to
answer just at present Ever your affectionate Son Jos D Hooker [signature]
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