Sorry not to see Smith in London; relieved to find there is no misunderstanding between them. Busy summer but looking forward to seeing Smith and family at Norwich soon.
Showing 1–8 of 8 items
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).
Sorry not to see Smith in London; relieved to find there is no misunderstanding between them. Busy summer but looking forward to seeing Smith and family at Norwich soon.
Account for books, etc.
Has visited Switzerland and met Davall; "Celsia orientalis"; difficulty of procuring books; desires exchanges.
Hopes to give to Linnean Society the third editions of his "[Journey from Chester to] London", "Indian Zoology", and "History of Quadrupeds". Queries on Indian plants for the 11th folio volume of his "Outlines of the Globe": whether Linnaeus refers to the "Poon tree" used for masts; the "cotton tree" referred to by "Gerard p.1552" and "[Edward] Ives Voy[age] 478", thinks it a classical tree; asks if the common walking cane is made from a 'Rotang'; requests correct reference to correct a mistake in [Robert] Orme's "Fragments". Thanks for mention in Smith's essay on natural history [in "Linnean Transactions"] but upset to be coupled with "the dull Brisson" [Mathurin Jacques Brisson (1723-1806) French zoologist]. Requests list of the 20 most striking Indian plants or trees.
Thanks for memoirs. News of French botanists. La Société Royale d'Agriculture.
Thanks for dried plants sent by Smith. Will send Smith whatever he thinks may be of interest from his own collection. Expresses the Turin Academy's delight at having acquired Smith as a foreign member.
Condolences on death of Davall's daughter, believes it must have been a very violent fever independent of teething. Transcribes part of an epitaph on four children who died of the plague 150 years ago, engraved on a monument in a field somewhere in England. Wishes Davall could visit England as his connections are now much increased: quite intimate with Lady Rockingham; made acquaintance with Sir Abraham and Lady [Amelia] Hume and stayed with them in Hertfordshire; recently stayed at Bulstrode, [Buckinghamshire, home of Duke of Portland]. Will send first volume of "Linnean Transactions" for Davall. Requests duplicates of ten or twelve plants for François [Borone's] herbarium.
Postscript at top of verso of first folio that he would gladly figure 'Cerinthe perennis' [in "Spicilegium botanicum"].
Arrived back in Orbe unwell; taking purgative mineral waters of Saidschultz, Hungary. Sending seed of 'Cerinthe [perennis]' for Smith via Mr Mandrot; would prefer Smith figured it rather than [Joseph von] Jacquin. As 'Cerinthe perennis' forms a very stout root if in a pot it should be transplanted to the open to flower.