By request of Mrs [Jane] Johnes informs Smith of the death of Colonel [Thomas] Johnes, at four p.m. yesterday afternoon.
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The Linnean Society of London Collection
The scientific and personal correspondence of James Edward Smith (1759-1828), purchaser of the collections of Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) and founder of the Linnean Society of London in 1788, was presented to the Linnean Society between 1857 and 1872 by his widow Pleasance Smith (1773-1877). Since then, it has been complemented by additional series. The collection was catalogued, conserved, and digitised from 2010 to 2013, thanks to the generous support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Letters can be searched through Ɛpsilon, with links to images and summaries available on the Linnean Society’s Online Collections (http://linnean-online.org/smith_correspondence.html).
By request of Mrs [Jane] Johnes informs Smith of the death of Colonel [Thomas] Johnes, at four p.m. yesterday afternoon.
Current state of affairs [following failure of his banking house]: they have appeased the "great mass" of their creditors and pleaded for time to convert their funds to money; surprised and consoled by the kindness and confidence they have met with, following a meeting on recommencement of business which was "unanimously asserted to" by the 400 in attendance, some refractory persons remain. Comments on support and friendship of Mr Martin [Smith's brother-in-law]. Allerton, his library, and art collection are all to be sold, but as they will fully discharge his obligations he does it with pleasure.
Received Smith's letter of 13 February. Wishes Smith success with his Cambridge professorship candidature. Unable to attend his own admittance to the Linnean Society as he is currently detained in Scotland buying land. Disgusted by the Court of the East India Company who have detained his materials. Preparing an account of the fish of the Ganges despite Lord Moira [Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings (1754-1826) 1st Marquess of Hastings] having detained 144 of his drawings. When finished with this he will require the descriptions and drawings of Nepalese plants in order to have them published. Shall now reside near Callander.
Just returned from Oxford address; unable to attend Linnean Society on 7 May due to prior engagement.
Directions for travelling from Whitechapel to Hare Street. Asks Smith to bring specimens of his plates, regrets that he has dedicated his life to "the canvass on which nature sketches her wonders - rather than on the individual wonders separately". Believes that from Psalm 22 verse 14 King David must have had some of his own disorder [angina pectoria].
Sending second volume of "Botanicon Etruscum". Requests copies of "Linnean Transactions" to be sent for University of Pisa's library.
[Note in Smith's hand] Sent a compendium of his "Linnean Transactions" papers including 'On Norwich botanists', 'Cornucopiae alopecuroides', 'Iris susiana', 'Teesdalia', 'Bryssum marginatum', and 'Nectarine a variety of the peach'.
Honored by Lady Cullum's visit to him in Bury. The "severe east wind & most abominable atmosphere" in London have given him several colds. No news of the lawyers opinion of mode of electing a future professor [Smith's campaign for Cambridge botany professorship]. Intends to return to London for 7 May to attend Linnean Society and admit Duke of Bedford [John Russell, 6th Duke] FLS. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert "rather nervous, but cheerful", Sir Joseph Banks "very well" and Lady Banks "very fat, good humoured & kind as usual". Very full club at last Royal Society meeting, four new fellows admitted. Attended dinner and party at [Edward] Rudge's with the Goodenoughs, Marsdens, Blackwells, Sir William and Lady Anson, and Bathursts.
Lady Cullum pleased by her visit to Smith. [William] Webb, Master of Clare Hall, wonders if the Cambridge collge heads can reduce the number of candidates to two [Smith's campaign for botany professorship].
Reminisces that at this time of year in his youth he collected 'Orchis mascula' in the meadows and 'Ophrys aranifera' in the chalk hills and pits. If in Yorkshire this summer hopes to see 'Trientalis' growing on its native soil near Scarborough and to pick 'Primula farinosa', as [William] Curtis did. Glad Sir Joseph Banks is well but wishes [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert in better spirits. Enquires if a Linnean Society list for 1788 was printed, to complete his collection of 1789 to 1815 inclusive; a minute of the first meeting in his possession lists Smith, [Samuel] Goodenough, Jonas Dryander, James Dickson, John Beckwith, Thomas Marsham, and John Timothy Swainson in attendance. Wishes Marsham had continued as Secretary.
Suffering from a violent cold caused by severe weather and "pestilential town air". Plans to visit Cullum in Bury after visiting [Humphry] Repton in Harestreet, [Essex]. Does not think a Linnean Society list was printed before 1789. Edward Forster to be proposed as new Society Secretary and Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley as Vice-President. Sir Joseph Banks ill in bed with a slight erysipelas on his toe and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert "well & cheerful, but nervous".
Sends on promised "wooden cut" to add to her collection. Suffering from inflammation of the lungs but nearly recovered. Warns Sir Thomas Cullum not to direct anything in "too familiar a style" to his eldest son lest he writes "what will infallibly hang a man", encloses [extant] puzzle on this subject. Just received word of the death of [Thomas] Johnes of Hafod.