Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 01/10/1905 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 letter, 6 sheets, 10 pages
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Born in Falkirk in 1873, George Forrest became one of Scotland's most prolific plant collectors, conducting seven expeditions in Yunnan province, S.W. China between 1904 and his death there in 1932.
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Scope and content
Letter from George Forrest, The Consulate, Tengyueh, S.W. Yunnan, China, to Isaac Bayley Balfour, 'Regius Keeper', Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Scotland, dated 01 October 1905.
Forrest writes to Balfour to provide a very full account of events at Tsekou [Cigu] from 13 July and his subsequent flight with the two missionary fathers and many Christian Tibetans; [The content of this letter may be deemed especially distressing] Forrest describes delays and deception by the Besse [Headman] of Chamey; the despair of the missionaries and eventual decision by Forrest to strike off alone; the pursuit by lamas; arrival after eight days at a Lissoo village where he was fed tsampa cakes and tea, resulting in stomach problems; further hardships on journey to Yeh Chih but notes the magnificence of the flowers and his hope of returning to ‘the flower garden of the world’; kindness of the Besse of Yeh Chih; news of the brutal murder of Pere Bourdonnec and Pere Dubernard; the journey to Hsia Wei Hsi and of meeting up with Pere Monbeig; description of the Chinese clothing provided for him; eventual arrival in Talifu on 25 August.
The full text of the letter is available at (right click, open link in new tab) https://stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/28455 .
The letter has suffered fire damage, with some loss including text.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Permission required from RBGE.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
The letter has suffered fire damage, with some loss including text; handle with extreme care.
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
There are two sketch maps in the Forrest archive outlining the escape route: GB 235 FRG/1/1/1/1905/54 and GB 235 FRG/1/1/1/1905/55.
Notes area
Note
It should be noted that the catalogue descriptions, summaries and letters may contain sensitive subjects and Forrest’s language, spellings and attitudes which may be deemed offensive now. The content of this letter may be deemed especially distressing.
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Archivist's note
This Forrest correspondence collection summary has been provided by library volunteer Pauline Maclean.