Hamilton writes to inform Hooker that both Dr Graham of Edinburgh and Hooker have been made honorary members of the Horticultural Society of Plymouth on which matter he refers Hooker to the accompanying report. He mentions that it was Dr Moon who nominated Graham and that Hamilton wishes Moon might also have put forward the names of Dr Gillies and Dr Greville. Hamilton reports that he has had no letters recently from Carthagena [Cartagena] and he fears Watt is ill again, neither has he heard from Bancroft. Hamilton is anxious to get to a warmer country because of the severity of the winter. Hamilton conveys his disappointment at not seeing the Cucumis osmocarpon in the Botanical Magazine and refers to the methods of forcing their growth used by the gardener to His Grace the Duke of Portland. He does not know if it is a new or old species, but comments that he has not been able to find a description of it in the Hortus Kewensia. The accompanying report, dated 11 Feb 1830, details the proceedings of a meeting of the Plymouth Botanical and Horticultural Society and consists largely of the extensive address of Hamilton himself on the subject of Horticultural establishments and their benefit to the public. He favours the garden as an attraction to the poor which is a far more moral and salubrious alternative to the gin house, but thinks a library is of more benefit still in promoting public improvement. The comments of various other members then follow. Page 1 of 4.