Hooker, J. D. to Darwin, C. R.
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Recommends J. W. Kayes' book [History of the Sepoy War, vol. 1 (1864)].
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Wife improving.
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Glad CD liked Huxley's letter.
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Not an admirer of Kingsley.
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Transcription
Dear Darwin
``Kaye's Indian Mutiny'' is the best I believe; but I have not read it.
My wife is I think really improving, & has been downstairs. I am so glad you liked Huxleys letter I thought it sensible shrewd witty & full of honest good feeling. I am not an admirer of Kingsley's but am glad he has the sense to understand you
If Etty lets the Gooseberry season go bye without inviting me I will kill her.
I have no news. Dont forget Tylor's book.
Ever Yr aff | J. D. Hooker
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- f1 4859.f1
The date is established by the relationship between this letter and the letter to J. D. Hooker, [17 June 1865]. - +
- f2 4859.f2
The reference is to the first volume of Kaye 1864--76. CD had asked Hooker to recommend a good history of the Indian Mutiny, after having read a novel set against the background of the uprising (see letter to J. D. Hooker, [17 June 1865] and n. 9). - +
- f3 4859.f3
Frances Harriet Hooker had recently suffered a miscarriage; see letter from J. D. Hooker, [15 June 1865] and n. 5. - +
- f4 4859.f4
Hooker enclosed a letter from Thomas Henry Huxley with his letter of [15 June 1865]. See also letter to J. D. Hooker, [17 June 1865]. - +
- f5 4859.f5
Hooker refers to Charles Kingsley (see letter to J. D. Hooker, [17 June 1865] and n. 5). - +
- f6 4859.f6
Hooker refers to Henrietta Emma Darwin. Hooker's fondness for visiting during gooseberry season was something of a family joke. Francis Darwin, in a manuscript of reminiscences about his father, wrote (DAR 140.3; for typescript, see Robert Brown 1996, p. 8):Hooker too used to send him beautiful ones [bananas] from Kew— They were christened ``Kew gooseberries'' being I suppose I think considered a return for the gooseberry feast for which Hooker was supposed to come every year to Down See also letter from J. D. Hooker, [20 January 1865], and letter to J. D. Hooker, 26 [May? 1867], Calendar no. 5552). - +
- f7 4859.f7
The reference is to Tylor 1865. See letter from J. D. Hooker, [15 June 1865] and n. 2.