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1845

To the Trustees of the
Royal College of Surgeons
London

Gents
During my residence in India I made extensive collections with a view to illustrate the Zoology of Nepal, and, being not insensible of the high importance of whatever tends to fix the Science of Zoology on the firm basis of structural peculiarities, I preserved a great many skeletons (more or less perfect) of such quadrupeds and birds as were procured by me as specimens and likewise procured anatomical notes to be occasionally made relative the soft as well as hard parts of the animals. It is my wish to present these materials if found worthy to the College of Surgeons. I regret that circumstances which it [?] need not here be referred to have rendered them far less complete than ones hope to have made them. These osteological remains are for the most part duly numbered with reference to the series of skins and drawings presented by me to the Brit. Museum. The species may be thus, for the most part at once identified, and I have only to add the expression of my hope that in return for the donation hereby proposed the College of Surgeons will be pleased to place me in communication with the person who may be directed to receive and examine these [?] and that that person may be authorised and required to put me in possession of the results of his examination of them, particularly such as are calculated to [?] on the Natural affinity or the habits and manners of the specimens.
(signed) B.H. Hodgson

[Note of reverse]
M.S. Collection declined in the reply
and therefore made over to Brit. Mus.
Jany 1845

London February 5 1845

The Trustees of the Leyden
{Paris and etc} Museum

Gentleman

I have the honor to present to the Leyden Museum a series of Specimens illustrative of the Zoology of Nepal with Catalogues annexed. The Specimens amount to five hundred and thirty six Birds and sixty-nine Mammals [written above this figure is an amended pencilled figure of seventy]. In the Catalogue transmitted the whole of the Birds and Mammals discovered by me in Nepal are set down for the information of the Trustees and I may add that the complete series is deposited in the British Museum and amounts to
Mammals of Nepal 126 species
Mammals of Tibet 47 species
Birds of Nepal and Tibet 657 species
Frogs, Fishes, Snakes and Tortoises 80 species
The species now transmitted to Paris [Leyden] are transmitted through the obliging mediation to the British Museum and are distinguished in the annexed Catalogues by a cross prefixed.

I have the honor to be
Gentleman
Your most obt. Servant
B.H. Hodgson
Late British Minister at
the Court of Nepal

[OVERLEAF]
The same to Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, Edinbro, Dublin, Newcastle, Canterbury, Manchester, Earl of Derby with the number of specimens altered as follows

                                                                        SKINS
                                      Birds                       Mammals                Bones

3 Paris 462 48
4 Berlin 411 41
5 Frankfurt 352 7
6 Edinbro 321
7 Dublin 290
8 Newcastle 259
9 Canterbury 237
10 Manchester 213
11 Earl of Derby 205
12 Hugh Strickland 169

                                             ADD                                               Bones

British Museum 1753 170 195

1. India House 655 162 45
2. Leyden 536 78
3. Paris 462 48
4. etc. as above
   add College of Surgeons
   Haslar Institute

Darjeeling 29th April 1847

To J. Forshall
Secy. British Museum
London

My dear Sir

I have duly received the twelve copies of the General Catalogue of the Mammals and Birds of Nepal, founded on my own Catalogues and corrected as to [Synonymes] by Mr Gray, by order of the Trustees of the British Museum wherein are deposited the specimens and Drawings. I request you will convey to the Trustees my sense of the high courtesy that has dictated the printing under their authority of this catalogue separately from the general one of the museum and to add that it shall be mu endeavour by transmitting fresh and superior samples of such specimens and drawings are still defective or missing to make the collection quite complete and this show myself duly sensible of the consideration that has been [?] towards me by this distinguished Patron of science and literature. With regard to the remaining copies of the Catalogue of Nepal Mammals and Birds respecting the disposal of which you consult me. I request that one copy having been sent to each of the public institutions abroad and home to which duplicated of the specimens were transmitted under the auspices of the Trustees, the rest m[a]y be distributed to the most eminent individual cultivators of zoology foreign and English, such as Mr Temminck and J. Cuvier and Geof. St Hilaire and Colonel H. Smith, and Professor Owen and Dr. Falconer and Mr. Yarrel and Mr. Ogilby Secy. Zool. Socty. and Colol Sykes India Director reserving only two copies to be sent to my father B. Hodgson Eqre Canterbury. This Trustees, have already approved the distribution to Institutions and will no doubt excuse the trouble now imposed of distribution to individuals, in consideration of my remote and disabling position. I have only to add the request that each copy distributed m[a]y have inscribed on the flyleaf "With Mr Hodgson's compts"
I remain
My dear Sir
Yours very truly

Canterbury Dec 27th 1844

J.E. Gray Esq
Keeper Zoological
Dept. British Museum

Sir,

With reference to the series of my drawings presented to the British Museum I have the honour to state to you that in refering to my own original drawings, from which those above averted to were copied for transmission to England. I find these original drawings to be in number as follows
2/ Anatomical and quasi anatomical
1/ Mammals 94
Birds 14 108 Sheets

 Ordinary or Non-Anatomical Mammals

11 Bats 7 Sheets
Quadrapeds 245

111 Birds
Old and New Series 826 Sheets

1V Fishes, Snakes, Lizards 24 Sheets
Frogs and Tortoises

3/ Of the above a nearly complete series of nos 11 and 111 were transmitted to England in regular numerical order on the smaller scale of about 20 inches by 12 and previously there had been sent a more than half of a series of ruder execution and upon a much larger scale
4 of the anatomical series or No. 1 only portions were sent to England and frequently in conjunction with the drawing of the species in questions. So also of the series No 1V only a small portion was ever transmitted

5/ Nevertheless the total of drawings transmitted from India exceeded what would seem to have been received by you; and the deficiency in your series appears to be [?] great particularly in the smaller sized drawings that I am led to request you will be pleased to give to me a fresh and careful statement of all the Drawings you possess distinguished into greater and lesser sized ones, and with the additional information when and whence you received them
6/ you will kindly let me have this information as soon as possible in order that I may [institute?] inquiries myself at the several channels of transmission
7/ you have recently received from me 52 sheets of Birds [210] of Mammals and I have this day delivered to your Apt. 19 more sheets of Birds and 1 of Mammals. These which are the sequel of the small series and ought nearly to complete it be pleased to include in your statement as above requested. There can be no question that a considerable number of the drawings despatched from India is not forthcoming at present if I may judge by the rough memo left with me by you, for, my species amount to 823 as per margin and not to mention that the larger series of Drawings and began far advanced in the copying when the lesser series was began there was not only a complete series on the smaller scale transmitted to England (inclusive of those delivered at Canterbury as above noted) but also several repeated and amended delineations of the same in that series particularly among the quadrupeds, and, lastly, in the new and small series of Drawings there [?] more than one species delineated on the same sheets so that there should be on the whole pretty nearly usually as many sheets as species
I have the honor etc
B.H. Hodgson

[Notes in Margin]
Nepal
Mammals 126
Birds 656
Tibet
Mammals 47[1]

Nepal
January 12 1843

H. Torrens Esqre
Sec. Asi. Society

Dear Sir

On the 13 May last I had the honour to transmit to you thirty one large sheets of Drawings as per accompanying 'List' - for the purposes of their being submitting to the Society's inspection and of their subsequent transmission [thru?] it if deemed proper, to England - As these drawings have an extreme value for those whom their peculiar subject concerneth and no value whatever for any one else, I trust the Society will be sensible that it's honour is much concerned in their alleged disappearance, without a word of explanation from the very hour of their known arrival with you up to the present moment
I have the honour to be
Dear Sir
Your faithful servant
B. H. Hodgson

LIST OF DRAWINGS TO H. TORRENS MAY 13 1842

1. Newars or aborigines of Nepaul Proper (Two Sheets)
2. Trans Nivean Bhoteahs
3. Cis Niveanor Cachari Bhoteahs
4. Heads of Newars
5. -ditto- of Cachari Bhoteahs
6. 1. Elephant of Saul Forest
7. 2. Martes Toufous
8. 3. Lynchus Vulgaris of Tibet
9. 4. The Habshi [Tangam] of Des Dharma
10. 5. Hemitragus Quadrimammis
11. 6. Ounce of Tibet
12. 7. -do- -do- Junior
13. 8. Felis Nigripectus Manul
14. 9. Mustela Canigula
15. 10. Sorex Nemorivaguset Pygmaeus
16. 11. Lepus Pallipes
17. 12. Vulpes Ferrilatus
18. 13. Aquila Crassipes
19. 14. Totanus Glareoloides
20. 15. Dicrurus Albirectus
21. 16. Vultur Fulvus
22. 17. Vinago Maronatus
23. 18. Egretta Grayii
24. 19. Crypsirina Simoniiset Vagabunda
25. 20. Carduelis Spinoides
26. 21. Phasianus Pictus et [Amherstii?]
27. 22. Mesidus Nivicola
        28.23. Caracias Bengalensis
28. 24. Thonicarnis Princeps

Total 31 Sheets
Notes at the end of the list
6 Haman to Lord Auckland
Lent 24 animals to British Museum whereof 12 Mammals and 12 Birds

1844
6 Haman
12 Quadruped
12 Birds
To British Museum by my father brought home by H.J. Princeps
'List of drawings sent home by H. J. Princeps and delivered to Brit. Museum by M.H. Senior 1844'

EXTRATCS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE COMM. OF CORRESPONDENCE OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY

7 Nov 1837
A minute of this date refers to Mr Hodgson's proposed publication on the Zoology of Nepal, and gives a statement from one of Mr Hodgson's letters to the effect that he had despatched to the care of the Royal Asiatic Society, 26 sheets of Mammals and Birds and will continue to send others till the series be completed which he commends to the keeping of the Society; stating also, that he had despatched 5 in Jany last by Capt. Robinson, with directions to deposit them with the Royal Asiatic Society, in case his prior stores should have been removed from the keeping of the Zoological Society - The minute concludes thus:- None of the above articles having been received, the committee directed that the matter should [lie?] over the present

15th March 1838
The Chairman read before the Committee a letter written to him by J. Princep Esq. of Calcutta, relative to Mr Hodgson's work of the Mammalia of Nepal, the the publication and circulation of which the Bengal Society are desirous of furthering etc. etc. "Sir Alexander Johnston stated that he had communicated the content of Mr Princep's letter to Sir Wm. Jardine who had expressed his willingness to cooperate in any measures whereby Mr Hodgson's labours might be given to the world."
19th Apl. 1839
The Chairman now read a letter from Mr J Princep, dated Calcutta 7 Sept 1838 respecting Mr Hodgson's proposed work on Nepal Zoology and recommending application in support to the Court of Directors.
5th March 1842
A minute of the Council of this date accepts Mr. Hodgson's offer to dedicate Mr Hodgson's Mammals of Nepal to the R. Asiatic Society; and promises to subscribe for a copy of the work.

H. Piddington Esqr
Sub Secretary Asiatic Society
Bengal

Feb 28
1845

My dear Sir
Some weeks ago I called your attention and that of Mr Torrens to the non publication of several papers of mine on the Zoology of Nepal which were transmitted to your society at the close of 1842 and beginning of 1843 when specimens likewise were forwarded to your Zool. Curator either for examination with reference to those papers or as Donations to your society - the specimens lent in the first instance having been for the most part subsequently given to the Society through your Curator in January 1844, thereby with former donations completing for the Society the intire series almost of my Collections. I would not [desire?] to misconstrue appearances to any person's disadvantage, but it is remarkable that the donations in question still continue unacknowledged, and, the papers unpublished by the Society. while their Contents are [transpiring?] in the reports of your Curator to whom more especially both Specimens and papers were confided. Once of the papers [adverted?] to was a Catalogue of Birds partially published in No XXXVI of your Journal but the residue of which is not forthcoming. Another paper was on the [Leucotuchamian?] group. Another on the Larks, another on many new genera and species and being the complement of all my prior papers - besides may others of minor importance. The papers "on several new Genera and Species of Subhemalayan Birds" contained the description and definitions of a great many novelties of form which it was most desirable should be published immediately in order to prevent anticipation. This point was explained to your Curator of Zoology Mr Blyth to whom on the 22nd May 1843 sixty seven samples of the new genera and species contained in the paper in question were sent by DAK, with List annexed, and on the 7th August 1843 twenty one more specimens also by DAK, with a view to obviate the evils of delay. Now, it is under these circumstances (so far as known to me) that there appears in print in the CXL111 No. of your Journal the last yet in England a Zoological "report" of Mr Blyth which anticipates a deal of the matter contained in my papers in question, and especially in the long one just adverted to, several of the new genera of which (for example Pachyglossa Melanozantha) are actually published from my specimens while my papers describe them and which had been many months (twelve at least) in Mr. Blyth's hands. When that report was finally given in are still with held from the printer. Mr Blyth's "report" is called the report for 1842 but it was printed in June 1844 and it bears internal evidence of having been largely added to up nearly to the time of publication. The whole of the circumstances now stated to you may admit of Explanation@ but they at all events seem to require explanation and I therefore request you will submit them to the Society should the evils complained of not have found rectification before your receipt of this letter. In the "report" above specified the donations of several individuals are carefully ennumerated whilst mine are not noticed except incidentally and marginally save when these materials are transferred to Mr. Blyth's text in supression of my own prior descriptions that were in his hands waiting publication and had been so far above twelve months when the greatest part of this report was [personal?] and the designation of the paper "Report of the Meeting of 1843" being complete misnomer.
Believe me
Very Truly Yrs
B.H. Hodgson

[This list pairs with letter Feb. 28th 1845]

List of Birds transmitted to Mr. Blyth May 22 1843
1 - 2 Propyrrhula Subhimachalana
3 - 4 Procarduelis Nipalensis
5 - 6 Propasser Pulcherrima
7 - 8 Propasser Rodopepla
9 Propyrrhula Epauletta
10 Pyrrhula Nipalensis
11 Fringillarius Argent
12 Ioropus Strigula
13 Ioropus Nipalensis
14 Proparus Vinipectus
15 Ioropus Cyanopteris
16 Carthiparus Ignotinctus
17 - 18 Tarsiger Chrysaeus
19 - 2 Cyornis or Ignornis Ioncanea [?]
21 Digenea Leucomelanum
22 Dimorpha Strophiata
23 - 4 Myzanthe Ignipectus
25 Pachyglossa Melanozantha
26 Orthotomus Sutora
27 Prinia Fuscus
28 Nemora Rufilatus [?]
29 Rubecola Ferrea
30 Chelidorynx Chrysoschistos
31 Hemipus Piccator [Picacolor?]
32 Nemora Cyanara [?]
33 Leiothrix Calipyga
34 Larvivora Cyana
35 Hemichelidon Fuliginose
36 My[i]agra Occipitalis [?]
37 Cathiparus Castaneceps [?]
38 Poyodon Gularis
39 Polyodon Occipitalus [?]
40 Cisticola Subhem[him]alayana
41 Ixulus Flavicollis
42 Tribura Leuteoventris
43 Myzornis Flaviventris [?]
44 [H]oreites Pollicaris
45 [H]oreites Brunnifrons
46 Nivicola Schistilatum/s
47 Pnoepyga Albiventris
48 Oligura Flaviventer
49 Muscisylvia Leucurus [?]
50 Temnosis Atrifrons
51 Chrysomma Hypoleucos
52 Alcurus Nipalensis
53 Hemixos Flavala
54 Gymnoris Flavinostra
55 Brachytarsus Phaenicuroides
56 Decura Caudata
57 Digeula Tricolor
58 Stachyris Pyrrops
59 Chaimarrornis Leucocephalus
60 Saxicola Saturatior
61 Saxicola Melalenia [melaleuca?]
62 Muscicapa Leucoshistas
63 Musc [Hemileucara?]
64 Musc. Astigma[astiema]
65 Musc. Ciliaris
66 Prosorinea Purpurea [?]
67 Chaitaris Sundara

Alderley Grange

Feb[ruary] 2 1870

My dear Marshall

I have your note of yesterday. Why, you are a whole week ahead of the time you [?] when here. I am glad your brother likes the sample of my [work?] which you showed him but you don't say whether he and you are disposed to tackle the huge [residue?]. Let me know but please first see Grote who seems scared for you or himself at the undertaking of [?] it will require lots of room to lay out the contents of the 4 portfolios so as to make a [just?] inspection by the preliminary operation of bringing together from the 4 receptacles wherein they are now scattered pell mell all that related to each species and group. Have you room and leisure for the opperation and for taking the results more or less perfunctorily. Your brother is soon to return and you have only till October with a deal of work already in hand. Perhaps however Grote and you may manage the storage between you - you alone who are a glutton for work may be equal to the [?] of the material and thence to decide the further question of the expediency of advising Hume to [turn?] the whole over to India with a view to incorporation in his work on the General Ornithology of India. Pending the settlement of which point it would seem that the portfolios should rest in London. All I can say is that I am ready to send up the whole as soon as I hear from you and Grote, and to trust you out and out for the fit care and utilisation of my treasures. Never mind about the [lamp?]. Thanks for your thoughtful attention to that trifle. Mrs. H joins me in Kindest Regards

Ever Yours
B.H. Hodgson

Alderley Grange
Wotton under edge

Feb. 11 [18]70

My dear Marshall

I have your letter and its enclosure from Hume to you, and as you tell me you are satisfied of Hume's [power] and will to go through with his projected work on the general ornithology of India I have resolved to act, on your suggestion that your brother should take out with him to India the whole of my material to be turned to use in Hume's work. This I may say will save time when time is precious seeing that the work is rapidly progressing, and that there will be no difficulty arising out of your temporary absence in regard to the reading of the Hindi problem of the memorandum. Wherefore I mean the day after tomorrow to send to you in a big deal box the four portfolios of drawings together with my own m.s list of birds so far as the Nepal collection goes (2) my native painter's Hindi list of the whole including the Sikim collection (3) Red bound vol of Manners of Birds done in Nepal by my writer from, viva voce statements of my Shikaris (4) Eight volumes unbound of Ditto Ditto done at Darjeeling (5) Sundry m.s Mems. by myself done in Tarai in 1846 (6) two copies of my printed catalogue from Zool. Miscellany 1844 (7) Six copies of reprint of 6 at Calcutta in 1846 (8) Sundry printed papers/original to Marshall (copy) 15th Feby to be signed. See Grote and let me hear of safe arrival of the box.
and believe me always Sir
Yrs. B H Hodgson

X I return this herein

To G. F.L. Marshall

MEMORANDUM
IN 4 PORTFOLIOS
received from B.H. Hodgson the loan of his Ornithological Drawings and Notes consisting of
1st Eleven hundred and four sheets of Drawings
2nd Mr. H's own Ms. List of his Birds so far as the Nepal collection goes
3rd His native painter's Hindi list of the whole collection including the Sikim portion
4th one red bound volume of the Manners of the Birds done in Nepal by his writer from viva voce statements of his Shikaris
5th Sundry Ms. Memos done by himself in the Sikim Tarai in 1846
6th Two copies of his own catalogue as printed in London
7th Six copies of reprint of 6 in Calcutta in 1846
8th Sundry printed papers being author's copies

Signed
G. Marshall
London Feb 1870

To the Dean of Carlisle
Grosvenor Street

Dear Robert

Let me trouble you for 2 lines directed to Canterbury to tell me when you migrate northwards. It is only on the last day of my stay prolonged to make enquiries for my son Brian as to his projected publication that I hear he has been corresponding with you and under very reasonable dread of his drawings and specimens being unfairly dealt with has given you power to remove them - this particularly if Mr. Bennett's illness should terminate fatally - every body agrees to be the first and most essential step and if you do not yourself seal them and place them in safe custody I shall have to beg your authority to this end for the present adieu
V[er]y Affect[ionate]ly
William Hodgson

[C- Latymer} 20 May [18--]

I shall stop a day or two in London passing through but not under 2 or 3 weeks

23rd May 1835

Lt. Colonel Sykes
Albion Street
Hyde Park

My dear Sir
Owing to much [hurry?] in various ways I have to apologise for delaying this
to the moment of my leaving London
Very truly yrs.
Brian Hodgson Thursday [morning] 16 May

Proposal to publish
Through Swainson

COPY

Mem[oran]dum of Agreem[en]t. between Brian Hodgson of Canterbury Kent Snr. on the part& behalf of his son B.H. Hodgson now in India - and Mr. Swainson of Tyttenhanger Green, Herts. Esq. on the other.

1. On the part of Mr Hodgson it is agreed to place at the disposal of Mr Swainson all such materials whether of “ Drawings. Specimens, or Descriptions, in his possession as Mr Swainson may require for publishing an Atlas, or collection of Plates, as hereafter specified relative to Mr. Hodgson’s researches hereafter on the Zoology of India and to assign to Mr. Swainson the sole right & title to the copyright of the said work.
2. A duplicate series of specimens. When the specimens are in duplicate will be given to Mr Swainson on the part of Mr [?] Swainson it is agreed as follows: -
3. That the atlas or collections of Plates relative to Mr Hodgsons researches shall be published in folio (17 y2 inches by 12 inches) and in monthly or alternate monthly numbers, - each to contain twelve colored(sic) plates - price one guinea each number and the whole to be completed in fifteen numbers at the cost of Fifteen Guineas to Subscribers - a few large paper copies to be printed and published at two guineas each.
4. The original drawings and specimens, where [when?] no longer required, shall be returned to Mr Hodgson
5. Mr B.H. Hodgson’s names of all new species will be retained & all the errors of nomenclature will be rectified by Mr Swainson on behalf on the part of Mr Hodgson
6. The whole of the funds for publishing this work will be provided by Mr Swainson but each party will pay their own postage & parcels
7. This Agreement to have the same force and efficacy as if drawn up in legal language.
   Witness our hands this 23d May of 1835
   Signed William Swainson
   Apt. Commisary General
   Note: Six colored copies of the entire works will be supplied to Mr Hodgson gratis W.S.