[[1]]
Camp Momay Samdong
Sept[ember] 28. [1849] *1
Dear F[ather].
I write in great haste a sort of P.S. to what goes along with it & as it encloses a few
more seeds I hope you won't disclaim the Postage.
I. Hodgson pressures Nepal, without i.e. before receiving my letters, says Sir B.
Shakespeare is appointed Resident that I may look on the Residency as my home
& that he can so powerfully aid me that he hopes the £300 will do.
II. Lord D[alhousie]. writes most kindly to say he has had great pleasure in
sanctioning the expenses of my coolies food being paid out of Govt. pending an
application to the Court at Home.
III. Courtenay writes asking my future
[[2]] prospects in India & hints at proposing something for me.
IV. Your letter of 12th July has just arrived enclosing my mothers very many
thanks for both.
I rejoice at the Rhod[odendron]'s growing but I would for my own sake ten times
rather see Tchulla Rhubarb as it grows here. I will send bales & Lauri in wax this
year.
Lobb sneered at fevers & has caught a Tartar in consequence, is better Jenkins
praises him up to the skyes[sic] -- he seems a very fine fellow -- I don't know what
to say about his coming here if I am gone. The expense & obstructions are so
great.
All right don't send Aneroid. I am quite content & happy about Himal versus
Borneo, true the money loss is terrible & Navy prospects
[[3]] not to be despaired: but in imports. Did Harvey get a long letter from me. I only
ask because I lose so many.
Edgeworth is really a good fellow the very day after writing me a long & most
interesting letter, he saw my Tonglo paper & forthwith copied out all Ruprecht's
descriptions of Bambusae & sent them me! He particularly asks if you grew the
beautiful Cleime he sent from Aden. I saw it in bud, Do answer him.
I am glad Monroe gets on -- I have an awful lot of ferns -- I will send a complete set
of my dried plants direct to you from Dorjiling [Darjeeling] -- but you must help me
with money.
Nobody ever told me that poor dear old McNab in Edinburgh is dead.
Copies of journal &c arrived up here last night with a long rigmarole letter from
Reeves -- but no decision[?.] It is kindly meant & I will write to him.
Look in Roxburgh for all inform[ation]
[[4]] as to Economic Botany of the Peninsula, Toddy Palm at Madras *2 & all my
travels is Phoenix sylvestris but the Berapur? also yields toddy. I never knew the
Couva not to.
Have you received nothing from me for the museum?
There are two Stracheys (not Strachan -- 3 indeed -- but only two travelling ones,
both very clever enterprizing men. Henry was Tom's companion & is now en route
in disguise up the Indus which he will follow SW. to Neeli pass if as Madden tells
me the Stars & Zoompoons (all Dingpuns I believe) prove propitious -- it is most
hazardous as to as to success for detection is all but sure, no harm can come of it
-- The other brother Richard is at Neeli hoping to receive his brother -- he is busy
with Botany Meteorology &c:
My best & kindest regards to the Deleports in whose house I spent so many happy
evenings at Paris
[[5]] I quite comprehend about old Aiton, don't be Joselyned jostled out of the house.
Tayler proposes sending my picture as a present to you or to Miss Henslow -- it is
a splendid gift indeed. Hodgson insists it shall be to Miss H. & as he is the motive
body in the matter I am of course as in gallantry bound accept. H. too wants to
write to tender it in his name to Frances. -- You must send Tayler a
Rhod[odendron]: book & any thing else you can lay your hands upon. It should be
kept at Kew.
Please tell Reeves to send me 2 or 3 copies of Rhod[odendon] book. putting them
down to my (running? or standing?) acct[oun]t. I will send one to the Rajah of
Nepaul [Nepal] & ensure a good reception there. the Nepalese are very sensible
people & not savages like these.
Wright has just made me present of a complete copy of his "Illustrations" [of Indian
Botany] I must send him the Rhod[odendron]s please ask Reeves to do so.
[[6]] Ever your most affectn | Jos D Hooker [signature]
It is awfully cold work collecting seeds up here. Those sent are often mixed so
don't be surprized if a Leontodon comes up for an Aster.
Is any list kept of the seeds received I keep none.-Please tell me now & then what are coming up.
The most of these things should be grown as alpines in frames at first.
Shall I send more seeds at a time as letters?
ENDNOTES
1. A note written in another hand records that the letter was received Dec 29 1849.
2. The city formerly known as Madras is now called Chennai.
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