Letter from Henry Thomas Colebrooke to Nathaniel Wallich in which Colebrooke thanks Wallich for his correspondence and the seeds he has sent. The one that Wallich has sent for the Botanic Garden at Copenhagen he has given to Dr Fleming to take. Colebrooke encourages Wallich to write to Fleming as Fleming was instrumental in Wallich keeping his position at the Botanic Garden. He reiterates his desire for Wallich to send living plants. Colebrooke also thanks Wallich for geological specimens and gives instructions as to how to package them correctly. Wallich has been proposed for the Linnean Society which will meet some weeks after the letter's date. Handwritten, dated 15 April, 1818 with further dating in Wallich's hand arrived 24 October.

Letter from Henry Thomas Colebrooke to Nathaniel Wallich in which he thanks Wallich for his correspondence and his Geological and Botanical Despatches and for Mr D Scott's remarks. He enquires whether Scott would like to be a member of the Geological Society. He writes of Limestone specimens that Wallich sent and of that he is pleased that the Gayal cattle have not been sent. He suggests that Wallich might write to his relative, Mr James Gosling, at the Cape of Good Hope who would be happy to try any specimens in his garden that Wallich thinks could flourish there. He asks about various species and botanical drawings. Handwritten, dated 8 September 1819, received 16 March 1820.

Letter from Henry Thomas Colebrooke to Nathaniel Wallich in which he discusses the possibility of the introduction of rice to England. Colebrooke thanks for letters, boxes of specimens and anthropological drawings. Colebrooke asks Wallich to express his thanks to the gentlemen that provided geological specimens. Colebrooke has petitioned the Chair of the Court of Directors, East India Company on Wallich's behalf. He wishes Wallich a speedy recovery to health. Handwritten, dated 8 August 1820, received 25 February 1821.

The series consists of 38 letters from Joseph Dalton Hooker to Brian Houghton Hodgson. They have been organised mainly according to a previous listing made of the material, approximately by date.

Hodgson used much of his time in both Nepal and Darjeeling in research, wanting to discover and understand about the architecture, languages, ethnography, religion, zoology and botany. He collected specimens and manuscripts, and had many drawings made, which he donated to many collections throughout Europe. He was also politically involved during his Residency in Nepal, and also later in England, when he continued to show an active interest in the Indian subcontinent, particularly regarding trade and vernacular education. These Personal Papers reflect these interests and are a record of much of his activity - Hodgson and his wives seemed to have a need to record all his successes. He was also a keen annotator of material, so that most of the printed material also bears his handwritten comments.

The collection consists of two series:

"H.T. Colebrooke - Memoirs and Autographs", A red calf bound book, containing printed and handwritten material including biographical material concerning Colebrooke, obituary notices for Horace Hayman Wilson, and correspondence from Colebrooke to Nathaniel Wallich. On the inside cover there is a bookplate with "Ex Libris Frederick Hendricks, F.S.S., F.S.A., Knight of Vasa. 1893" and a printed auction listing "226. Colebrook (H.T.) Notice historique sure la vie et les ouvrages de M. Colebrooke par M. C.A. Walckenaer, Paris, 1848, with biographical notices from various periodicals and numerous interesting autograph letter of Colebrooke, half red calf". Frederick Hendricks is an ancestor of the donor who also has family connections with the Colebrooke family.

Letter from Henry Thomas Colebrooke to Nathaniel Wallich in which he thanks Wallich for Nepal seeds and for rock specimens sent to him. He gives details of how various seeds and plants are growing in England mentioning Sir Joseph Banks and Mr Lambert. Wallich has been elected to the Linnaean and Geological Societies. Colebrooke will pay his fees if Wallich will reimburse to Colebrooke's agent. Colebrooke thanks for interesting papers that Wallich has sent including Captain Webb's account concerning the Himalayan mountains. Handwritten, dated 22 April 1819, dated in Wallich's hand, received 8 October.

Letter from Henry Thomas Colebrooke to Nathaniel Wallich in which he gives advice on when to send plants as the current specimens were all dead when he retrieved them from the Custom House. He writes of jealousy among the Directors of India House if plants arrive for private persons and so therefore asks Wallich to send specimens to them but to continue to send him seeds. He adds thanks for geological specimens and for Wallich to forward letters of acknowledgement to General Hardwick and Dr Adams. He asks whether the other gentlemen might be interested in joining the Geological Society. Handwritten, dated 20 January 1820, received 9 July 1820.

Letter from Henry Thomas Colebrooke to Nathaniel Wallich acknowledging letters sent and stating that he has sorted Wallich's remittances and arranged for the periodicals he requests to be sent to him. He was pleased with the geological specimens sent to him, including gold from Tartary and specimens from Lieutenant Gerard and Mr Scott and Colebrooke has used the notes sent by Gerard to write a paper on the geology of the valley of the Sutlej. He has proposed Lt Gerard and Dr Jack as members of the Geological Society. He thanks Wallich for seeds sent but advises because of the cost to be careful in thinking through which to send. Handwritten, dated 9 January 1821, received 5 June 1821.