Collates inconclusive evidence from his nephew, Edward Frankland, when in Dublin, and Duke of Gordon, as to indicators of sex of woodcocks. Two feathers sent by Edward Frankland inclosed [extant].
Two woodcock feathers.
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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).
Collates inconclusive evidence from his nephew, Edward Frankland, when in Dublin, and Duke of Gordon, as to indicators of sex of woodcocks. Two feathers sent by Edward Frankland inclosed [extant].
Two woodcock feathers.
His family "harrassed" by sickness. Regretted missing [William] Roscoe whilst he was in Norwich, and was unaware until Smith's letter of Roscoe's botany interests. Thinks that Dawson Turner would be "highly gratified" to examine Smith's two chests of "botanical treasures" from the East Indies. Looks forward to hope of visiting Smith in Norwich.
Disappointed in receiving visits from Smith and Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)]; latter's attendence at House of Lords did not produce the peace in Ireland anticipated. Received a box of Australian specimens, now with [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert; half are for Smith. Asks Smith not to trouble himself about the aquatics. His new pit proficient at raising seeds; expects to show Smith new things from Australia, Nepal, and Brazil.
Returned from Scotland. Happy to hear Smith will be at next Linnean Society meeting, hopes Smith can attend upcoming Council meeting. The Society to take late Sir Joseph Banks' house as its rooms, with the drawing room to become the meeting room. A subscription being raised for marble bust of Banks, limited to £1; £100 of £120 cost already raised. New "Linnean Transactions" volume ready for publication before 24 [May 1821], "it will be a very splendid one", the plates for [Robert] Brown's paper cost £240. Necessary for the Society to recruit in order to continue, asks Smith to interest [Thomas] Brightwell [(1787-1868)], "one of the most intelligent entomologists in this kingdom".
Acknowledges that Miss Smith [Smith's niece] "wholly responsible" for "unhandsome conduct" used towards them; apologises to Smith for letter he sent [disagreement over finding her a situation as a governess].
Expects Smith on 30 April. Suffering from insomnia, which he treats with laudanum, and is never well. Approves of [Thomas] Hare's dedication to Smith ["Considerations on the Structure, Functions, and Disorders of the Stomach and Alimentary Organs of the Human Body..." (1821)]; his opinion of Hare. Though he has not seen Correa for a while does not believe he has left.
Receipt for a paper and a box carried between Norwich and London, or vice versa, by Samuel C Marsh, signed by J Elmer [presumably connected to printing and proofs of "A selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus" (1821)].
The genus 'Crocus'.
Has finished his index as far as possible. Impatient for further parcel of autograph specimens. Correction for errata of second volume of ["A selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus" (1821)]. Hopes a finished, printed copy can be sent to the Linnean Society for either 17 April or 1 May.
Approves autographs [for "A selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus" (1821)]. Requests further proofs so he can finish his index, and fair copies of various sections.
Returns remaining 10 volumes of Miss Currer's collection of correspondence, and volumes of [Emanuel Mendez] da Costa's [(1717-1791), naturalist] correspondence, and a few other letters.
Hopes the mistletoe berries he forwarded for Smith will succeed. Sorry to hear of Smith's troubles with his "near connections". Linnean Society disappointed by Smith's absence on 16 April. Has taken the chair at the Society a few times after [Alexander] Macleay's report of "poor [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert having forgot himself one night most strangely". Reports an accident at Westminster School, of which his son Edmund is the headmaster, involving a pupil and a glazier who "saw too much". Edmund to marry Miss Fanny Cockerell, youngest daughter of [Samuel Pepys] Cockerell [(1753-1827)] the architect and niece of Sir Charles Cockerell [1st baronet (1755-1837), banker].