Queries and news about friends at Cambridge. How is analytical movement proceeding and translation of [S. F.] Lacroix's treatise being received? Is writing a new algebra.
Queries and news about friends at Cambridge. How is analytical movement proceeding and translation of [S. F.] Lacroix's treatise being received? Is writing a new algebra.
Regarding a possible error by JH in one of his equations [see CB's 1816-10-10]. Proposes a plan for a new work on analysis.
Will be coming to town shortly and hopes to stay with CB if possible. They must get another volume of the transactions of the Analytical Society out.
Is glad JH is coming to town. Another son born. They must revive the Analytical. Explains a problem in functional analysis.
Regrets his blunder. Send him Wilson Lowry's address and he will write. His own recent experiments with platinum.
Please arrange for JH to join DW, Dr. [Thomas?] Chalmers, and possibly Captain Carnigh for dinner. Chalmers wanted to visit William Herschel in Windsor but cannot, and would at least like to meet JH before going to meet [William?] Wilberforce.
Much philosophizing about life, work, and happiness.
[John] Bradbury, an old FLS who has been travelling in north America for some time and is now in heavy arrears, has asked to compound with 10 guineas in full; advises Council to grant this indulgence "as his name is honourable to us".
Asks if Sir [Justly Watson] Green's [2nd baronet, (1755-1826)] paper on 'Phascum' is a continuation of any former paper on the genus; "greatly doubts his knowledge of such very difficult matters". Hopes to send a paper of his own by 21 January.
Agrees with Smith that they should compound with [John] Bradbury for 10 guineas for his subscription arrears. Explains Sir [Justly Watson] Green's [2nd baronet, (1755-1826)] paper on 'Phascum'; not fit to be printed in its present state. [Thomas] Marsham has still not paid any of his debt, which he finds "so inexcusable" he has informed him he will no longer interfere on his behalf, and Marsham has written to [Edward] Forster pleading for more time.
Condolences on death of [George] Anderson [(fl 1800s-1817), plant collector]; hopes neither Anderson's paper on 'Paeonia' or willow collection are lost. Returns Sir [Justly Watson] Green's [2nd baronet, (1755-1826)] paper on 'Phascum' with no conclusive judgement as to its worth; [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's paper [on 'Cinchona'] should be printed. Sending his own paper on 'Tofieldia' and another on 'Lycopodium', with [Robert] Brown, not to be printed.
Urges Linnean Society Council to take legal action against [Thomas] Marsham [to recover debts].
Thanks for Smith's interest in [Jacob] Bigelow joining Linnean Society as FMLS; concerns over the 23 guineas required for his subscription. Examined plants from mountains around Boston, [Massachusetts], with Sir Joseph Banks and [Robert] Brown, notes on their conclusions, including: 'Scirpus bracteatus', 'Epipactis convallarioides', 'Matonia inflata', 'Hylas assyllus', 'Potomogeton tenellum', 'Orchis bracteata', 'Lycopodium lucidulum', and 'Halcus monticula'.
As yet has been unable to examine his plants with any standard herbarium, something he is keen to do to expand USA's natural history, understands [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert has Pursh's herbarium.
Encloses paper on vegetable physiology for the Linnean Society; requests that it be returned if not suitable.
[Smith has annotated "paper returned']
Thanks for turkey. Asks whether [William] Roscoe is currently able to accept visits from strangers.
Thanks for turkey. Linnean Society Council called, presumably to discuss [Thomas] Marsham's "wretched behaviour" [constant delays in repaying money he took from the Society]. Always thought Marsham would forsake the debt. [Alexander] Macleay and [Robert] Brown are in charge of the business but doubts their abilities. Goodenough thinks the actions of several leading members in screening Marsham has encouraged him to deceive the Society and set a bad example to other officers. Received Smith's "Compendium [florae Britannicae"]. Has Smith's copy of "Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis".
Attended Linnean Society Council meeting yesterday, along with [Alexander] Macleay, [Edward] Forster, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, [Thomas] Thomson [(1773-1852), chemist], [Daniel] Moore, and [Joseph] Sabine. Unanimous resolution reached that [Thomas] Marsham should either "confess judgement", otherwise proceeded against immediately as it would then be clear he has no intention to repay his debt. Macleay read a letter from Marsham defending himself; Goodenough also received a letter from Marsham bragging of his honour, that he will repay the principal and interest shortly, and that he borrowed the money from the Society. Goodenough's good opinion of Marsham entirely changed and will not allow any consideration of him stand in the way of the welfare of the Society.