Rhododendron tanastylum ser. irroratum, F812, Hpimaw
- GB 235 RJF/2/3/47
- Item
- 25/04/1919
Part of Reginald Farrer Collection
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Rhododendron tanastylum ser. irroratum, F812, Hpimaw
Part of Reginald Farrer Collection
Reginald Farrer, Isaac Bayley Balfour correspondence, Burma
Part of Reginald Farrer Collection
Farrer correspondence (41 letters in 1 folder) relating to Farrer and Cox's expedition to Burma [Myanmar] between 1919 and 1920.
1 folder, including correspondence to and from Reginald Farrer, Isaac Bayley Balfour and S.R. Fasoms(?),Linoel de Rothschild and E. L'Estrange P. Thompson.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (Creator)
Reginald Farrer - correspondence to Ernest Gye
Part of Reginald Farrer Collection
A collection of 13 letters purchased at auction in 2008, written by Reginald Farrer and most likely sent to the British Diplomat Ernest Frederick Gye C.M.G., though Farrer tends to refer to him as his “Poison”, “Viper” or “Venom”.
Gye's mother was the singer Dame Emma Albani and his father was Ernest Gye, the lessee of Covent Garden theatre. Gye entered the Foreign Office in 1903, became Second Secretary in 1908 and Councillor in 1924. He served for some years in Tehran in the earlier part of his career (and where he was when these letters were written) before being appointed Minister and Consul General in Tangier in 1933. Three years later he was made Minister Plenipotentiary in Venezuela, retiring in 1939.
The 13 letters were written in Upper Burma (now Myanmar), mainly from Hpimaw and Nyitadi, and date between May 1919 and September 1920, the last being written only five weeks before his death. The letters are liberally peppered with nicknames and gossip, and the identity of everyone mentioned may never be known; for example, his 1919 travelling companion, fellow plant collector Euan Cox, is often referred to by the name “Jumps”. In amongst intimate information and personal references are descriptions of the country, people met and plants collected.
Gye, Ernest Frederick
letter dated 26/02/1920 from Farrer, The Oaks, Maymyo, to Ernest Gye
Part of Reginald Farrer Collection
States he disliked Mandalay & its Club - too hot & its many Pagodas, roofs covered with red corrugated iron on the hill dominating the city. Mandalay, a holy place where in awe, he held the mortal remains of Gautama Buddha in his own hands. Writes warmly of his friendship with E. Gye and describes the Oaks being like Ascot but sad as he is living alone. Hopes to go North in 2 days, concerned if mules will be available, states he will be alone without Derrick [Milner] and his money. Long rambling gossipy section regarding different women? friendships and more, of Amelia with E. Gye. Speaks of a fiction book he is writing, he wants E. Gye to make comment. Speaks negatively of Russian literature and Virginia Woolf's first book. Mentions letter written after a good bottle of Hock. ‘Going North, away over the Back of Beyond, out across the last lone edge of Nowhere.’
Farrer, Reginald John
letter dated 11/09/1920 from Farrer, Nyitadi, to Ernest Gye
Part of Reginald Farrer Collection
Responds to Ernest's sense of being slighted, not receiving as many letters as others, saying that his gaps in letter writing due to being in camp and nothing of interest happening. He gives advice regarding Amelia, a possible liason of Ernest's, to forget her. Looks forward to having parties with Ernest, maybe at Ingleborough with him and Jumps [Euan H.M. Cox] unpacking items he's brought from Peking. Although wonders if Ernest may be in Britain as talking of going to Persia. Tells Ernest he has written to Jumps regarding weeds & weather which he is sure he will get to read. Suggests that this country is rather boring and does not generate a creative impulse. Spent one last fortnight in the Alps, seed collecting and now resting for a month in Nyitadi. Rambles about Greek and other characters and of his own writings. Again remonstrates that he has been a regular correspondent to E. Gye as regular as to his Mommer.
Farrer, Reginald John
Rhododendron species, Chaw-ji camp
Part of Reginald Farrer Collection
Primula brachystoma, F1635, 2m from camp
Part of Reginald Farrer Collection
Rhododendron species, Camp Moku-ji
Part of Reginald Farrer Collection
Rhododendron mallotum, Chaw-ji Camp
Part of Reginald Farrer Collection
letter dated 18/04/1920 from Farrer, P.O. Myitkyina, Ridam Ferry, to Celia Noble
Part of Reginald Farrer Collection
Describes the rain, 4 days of forested mountain passes, then needing to cross a raging torrent on a bamboo raft. He, his pony and goods safely crossed to a dry shelter. The mules of his procession fled at the sight of the river crossing, hopes the treacherous mulemen in the forests suffering with leeches & ticks. ‘After miraculous paddlings, inshore among the boulders all a-blossom with scarlet Azaleas.’
Farrer, Reginald John