Royal Gardens Kew

[[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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