Showing 21–40 of 60 items
Staying at Mr Lee's at Edgbaston: his and Dr Johnstone's families and homes. His seventh lecture this evening. Arrangements for their visit to Holkham [Hall, Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]. Bought cutlery.
[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]
Exhilarated by the very full audiences at his lectures, which finish on Saturday. People he has stayed with. Details of his intended return journey. Enquired after pumps; his findings. Received no letters or plants from Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley]. His efforts to reconciliate Miss Coke and her father [Thomas William Coke]; conflicts in that family.
His journey to Holkham [home of Thomas William Coke]. Lists the guests, including the Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)]. The Fens in high beauty, with trees still in leaf. Transcribes epitaph Edward Richards, "an ideot", in Edgbaston churchyard, [near Birmingham, Warwickshire], in danger of entire destruction.
Met Master Coke [son of Thomas William Coke], recovering from near fatal influenza. Mrs S Stanhope miscarried at 4 months. Has seen Lady Andover; Mr Dickenson; [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, his wife [Catherine] much less disturbed than last year; Mrs Bostock, who says Mrs Martin, [Smith's sister, Fanny], deceived in Mr Martin's business abilities; the Sims; visited Dr Baillie, who is ill, prescribed opium for his complaint. Ages of various friends.
His visit to Sunninghill, [Berkshire], to visit his cousins [the Kindersleys]; the children. Attended last Linnean Society meeting of the season. Botanised at Soho Square and saw Belzoni's "famous sarcophagus" at the British Museum. Regathered his strength following cholera attack with milk and rose conserve. His time at Upton and Hale's End, [Essex], with the Forsters: attended a Quaker's meeting at Plaistow, [Essex]; saw Mr and Mrs Dimsdale. Invited by [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor] to discuss his bust.
Sir Thomas and Lady Cullum "tolerably well", though Sir Thomas had an eruption in his legs. Account of remainder of his time in London, including his meeting with [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor]; breakfasted with [Thomas] Forster, who is forced to give up Bleak Hall; attended dinner at Mr Malkin's. Visited Ickworth and Mr Barnwell with Lady Cullum; too much Portugal laurel.
[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]
Just returned from his first lecture. Account of his journey from Norwich to Walthamstow, met by [Thomas] Forster and wife. Account of his first lecture. Attending Linnean Society Council and meeting this evening. Will send Pleasance's brother, Robert, newspaper with account of the meeting against slavery.
[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]
Busy correcting sheets, completing his index, and holding lectures. The lectures very crowded and seem "much approved". His travel arrangements. Received letter from [Edmund] Davall's eldest son, married and settled at Vevey, [Switzerland], and recommending his younger brother to Smith, who wishes to come to England; will write to prevent his coming. Another letter from George Hibbert about the gardener who is to go to Jamaica. [Thomas] Forster had an epileptic fit, he has been keeping them secret for 20 years. Staying next at [Edward] Forster's, Hale End, [Essex]. [James] Bicheno to become new Linnean Society secretary; [Joseph] Sabine made more of it that was just or true.
Called at Longman's: first two volumes of "English Flora" have just paid their expenses with half the stock sold, the remaining 800 copies to be all profit. Reviews his own lecture from yesterday. Bishop of Chester's [Charles Blomfield (1786-1857)] and Butler's debate at the Institution: both expose "much weakness" in the orthodox cause. Gave a speech at Linnean Society after list of subscribers to his bust was read. His strength, rheumatism, and cholic improved but cannot avoid perspiration at night. His Bristol lectures have been set to begin 13 June.
His laborious Monday: collected plants for his lecture, accompanied by Mrs Edward Forster; gave his lecture; attended a fraught Linnean Society audit and Council due to the quarrels with [Joseph] Sabine, but conciliated after [Alexander] Macleay and himself lectured [David] Don [(1799-1841), botanist]. Anniversary meeting and dinner well attended, though Sabine did not attend; conflicts between [James] Bicheno and [John] Lindley [(1799-1865), botanist]. Is to attend, with Forster, the annual meeting of Chimney Sweepers, who want to outlaw use of children in the profession. Next staying at Miss Lloyd's lodgings at Chapel Place. Sitting for [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor] on return from Bristol. His dentist is Mr Cartwright. Professor [Thomas] Martyn has mouth cancer. Edward Taylors moving to London.
Plants for lectures supplied by [Edward] Forster's garden and Loddige's [nursery]. Finished on Thursday to a "thunder of applause"; paid 100 guineas. Visited Horticultural Society gardens and spent pleasant time with [John] Lindley [(1799-1865), botanist], showing that their quarrel is "more than made up". Often breakfasts at the Menzies. [Samuel] Goodenough approves of next fasciculus of "Flora Graeca". Disappointed by Bullock's Mexican curiosities. Met Sir Astley Cooper at Saville Onley's, he continually reads his "Introduction to Botany". A party at the Blackwells; George Blackwell leaving the country for 2 years. His health generally better but his old complaint increased; Dr Davy prescribes Ipecacuanla with laudanum. Attempted and failed to get [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert to be accommodating regarding Linnean Society chair.
His travel arrangements for Bristol. Account of remainder of his time in London, including visits to Paddington to see [Thomas William] Coke and family; a ball at Mrs Bennett's, sister of [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, where he met Sir Stamford Raffles [(1781-1826), founder of Singapore], they are now "sworn friends"; attended the King's [George IV (1762-1830)] drawing room; visited Lady Hervey and Miss Caton, Mrs Patterson unwell. Dr [Martin] Davy extravagantly applauded "English Flora".
A meeting with [Thomas] Platt [(d 1842), one of John Sibthorp's executors, supervised the publication of "Flora Graeca"], who is annoyed at the British Museum having claimed a copy of "Flora Graeca" and sued the bookseller according to the act which requires copies to be deposited with public bodies. All say he looks "remarkably well", though thinner; his night perspiration has returned. Lambert insists that they stay at Boyton, [Wiltshire], on return from Bristol as he can get them a sight of Fonthill [Abbey, Wiltshire, built by William Beckford (1760-1844), novelist]. Lady de Clifford [Sophia Southwell] said to be "breaking fast".
Dined at [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's with Captain [Phillip Barker] King [(1791-1856], the great New Holland navigator, how is about to publish his voyage, and has named in honour of him a group of islands on the southern coast of New Holland.
[Letter incomplete: fragment only]
Account of his and Charles' [nephew of Smith's] excursion to Sunninghill, [Berkshire, home of Smith's Kindersley cousins]; a violent storm with hail, which they collected for iced water; visited Mr Barclay's grand house, including stoves and botanic gardens; searched in vain for tomb or memorial of his uncle Ireland in Reigate, [Surrey], church, the sexton had known his uncle and knew of the "incestuous anecdote". Everyone praises his improved looks and colour. Looked at carpet patterns; his opinion. Sitting for last time for [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor] tomorrow.
[Letter incomplete: folio[s] missing or destroyed, fragment of second folio pasted to end of recto of folio]
Hymn written by Smith, 6 stanzas. Never saw [Aylmer Bourke] so struck with anything; they showed it to [William Lisle] Bowles [(1762-1850)], the poet, who was "profuse in commendation" and lamented that the church did not use such.
[Letter incomplete: this is the second folio of letter, the proceeding folio presumed destroyed. Fragments from other letters have been pasted to bottom of verso of folio]
Replies to Pleasance's letter of 15 [April 1798]. Account of his journey to Oxford. Account of visit to Peter Collinson's [(1694-1768)] garden at Mill Hill, [Middlesex], with [Aylmer Bourke] and [Catherine] Lambert. Attended Mrs [Sarah] Siddon's [(1755-1831), actress] benefit with Mrs Lambert, "The Stranger" and "The Devil to Pay" were performed; his opinion. Arrangements for travelling to Hafod, [Cardiganshire, home of Thomas Johnes]. Opinion of others on the Welsh views. Home in June to meet Frederick and Emma [Smith's brother and sister-in-law].
[Letter incomplete: second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]
Preparations by Oxford academics in case of invasion. Account of his journey to Hafod [home of Thomas Johnes]. His patient, [Mariamne Johnes], not as well as expected; a lumbar abscess in her thigh. Glad Pleasance does not seem "really unhappy about the invasion"; he expects they will keep the country in suspense; trusts the Navy will prevent any landings.
[Letter incomplete: folio[s] appear to be missing, presumed destroyed]
Approves of Pleasance's arrangements as to the cook, Betty Laws; a joke about her size confounding Bonaparte's invasion plans. Account of his journey from London to Liverpool, via Northampton, Lichfield, Stafford, and Chester. On arrival in Liverpool received by his old friend Thomas Taylor, where he is staying, with Taylor's nephew, Meadows. Refreshing air of Liverpool. Delighted with [William] Roscoe; opinion of his person and character. Promised 100 subscribers to his lectures, paying 2 guineas each; after journey expects to clear £180. Has spent £70 on books of [Edmund] Davall; his library sold "very cheap"; lists books purchased. Leaves it to Pleasance to decide on being godmother to "little Wilkinson", though he dislikes "such ties". [John] Koster, a friend of Correa's, thinks the war ill-judged, and that Correa was made insane by his persecutors in Lisbon. His lectures.
Account of his Liverpool "adventures". Visited the Octagon Chapel, named after their own in Norwich; dined with [William] Roscoe at Allerton [Roscoe's home, near Liverpool], description of house, grounds, and family; visit to Dr Brandreth; visit to Mr Blundell and his Italian collections; dined with Dr Currie.
His lectures: has given two so far, attended by "all the beauty & fashion of the place, as well as by the learned"; William, [Smith's brother], surprised by his oratory, as he never aims at more than "plainness"; finances. Visiting [John] Koster, who was Consul at Lisbon, and was a great friend to Correa and Broussonet in their distresses; convinced the current war is "nearly certain ruin". His mother and Sarah happy at Blackheath.
During his journey to London a horse fell under the carriage and they were forced to walk to Newmarket, [Cambridgeshire], rest of journey uneventful but became unwell on reaching London. Called on Sir Thomas Frankland, Mrs [Amelia] Opie [(1769-1853), author], and Sir Joseph Banks', where he saw [Richard] Salisbury, Mr Westall, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, the Pattersons, and [Sir Abraham and Amelia] Hume. Cold weather more suited to him in London than warm. Account of visit to Somerset House [home of the Royal Society], with Prince of Wales [George IV (1762-1830)] in attendance.
[Letter incomplete: part of first folio cropped, and fragment of second folio appended to recto of first]
He has consulted Dr Pictairn about his condition, who says they are the usual consequence of erysipelas. His meetings and entertainments in London: he, William, and the Kindersleys [Smith's cousins] dined at Mrs Munro's, wife of his old Edinburgh friend, at Blackheath, [Kent]; time in Greenwich; went to Lee's; a concert at William Smith's; chatted with Lord [Charles] Stanhope [3rd Earl Stanhope (1753-1816) about politics; William Smith took him to meet [Charles James] Fox [(1749-1806), politician], now has an open invitation to St Anne's Hill, [Surrey, Fox's home]. Has made "bold push" for £100 for his Royal Institution lectures next year. Rudeness of Mrs Marsham. Sixty diners at Linnean Society anniversary meeting.