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Is gratified that JH has consented to sit for his portrait. Let him know the artist he has selected and they can arrange sittings.
Entirely approves of his choice of Thomas Phillips for his portrait. Has already painted Hugh Percy (3rd Duke of Northumberland).
Has had no communication with Thomas Phillips regarding JH's portrait and they would approve of JH's choice of H. W. Pickersgill. Will call on Pickersgill when he is in town and arrange size of the portrait.
Expresses some concerns about the proposed painting of his portrait [see WJ's 1833-1-1].
Has been laid up with influenza, which delayed his answer. Has seen H. W. Pickersgill, who will be very pleased to paint JH's portrait. Can he arrange a meeting?
[Jones, 4 pp] Observations on figures of 'Papilio' of Linnaeus and Fabricius, in case Smith attempts a new edition of "Systema Naturae".
[Smith, 6 pp] notes on drawings of various 'Papilio' and 'Phalaena' species.
Received Smith's letter from Europe, excited by his descriptions of Prince of Orange's insect cabinet and "double 'Tuberoses'". Mr [Thomas] M[arsham] anxious about the success of the new society [proposed Linnean Society], missed the meeting at which it was discussed but was given Secretary's Chair yet such was his apprehension about even being a member the motion has dropped. Agrees with Smith that for the present it should be kept "in embryo that we may not do anything unwisely or hastily". Cautions about the acrimony societies can raise, proposes an alternative quarterly "breakfast" with select friends from which a society could form naturally. Updates Smith on his work [for paper on 'Papilios']: has 990 specimens of 970 different species, after finishing with Sir Joseph Banks' collection has Dr Hunter's cabinet to examine and would like to consult Linnaean collections. [Johan Christian] Fabricius has described 200 species that he cannot procure, certain many described from drawings of [Pieter] Cramer [(1721-1776) Dutch entomologist, work in question probably "De Uitlandsche Kapellen"], will have to copy same to make his own work complete.
Received Smith's Rome letter of 19 February. Was worried Smith was offended with him for not embracing his "scheme" [formation of Linnean Society] with same ardour as Smith and others. Confesses he feels too much ignorance when with the "ingenious and scientific" to be a part of it. Repeats remark by [Conyers Middleton (1683-1750) Church of England clergyman] that the journey to Italy is like the "the common stages and journey of life". Mentions a traveller in Sciliy who though the large 'Aloes' there were indiginous, recalls Smith's remarks and his own observations of plants on the coast being able to survive severe weather. Request from [John] Latham for Smith to acquire a good description of the "Courier" bird, described by several but seen only by Aldrovandus [Ulisse Aldrovandi (1522-1605) Italian naturalist]. Looking forward to Smith and [William] Younge's return to London, [Samuel] Goodenough and [Thomas] Marsham are well.
Long rhapsody on Smith's friendship and difficulties of finding true friends. [Thomas] Marsham miffed that Smith wrote to Jones unpressed but not to Marsham or [Samuel] Goodenough who solicited "anxiously". Critiques the clergy, including [Samuel] Goodenough for being, "friends to persecution and [...] not [allowing] a liberty of conscience". Fears Goodenough and Marsham will "banish [Jones] to Coventry" if he does not unite in the [Linnean] Society, hopes to mollify them by offering a collection of 'Lepidoptera' he is gathering to Goodenough, and giving Marsham scientific information for his book ["Entomologia Britannica"]. [Johan Christian] Fabricius in London and correcting his [Jones'] drawings but will be gone by time Smith returns. Has heard nothing of [William] Younge.
Shall call on Smith on the first "fair Friday", otherwise invites Smith to visit him.
Admonishes Smith for reducing length of his intended visit, urges him come soon before it dwindles to a "mere call with a how d'you".
Unable to attend Smith's gathering of friends at Marlborough Street due to his ill-health, a "rheumatic sciatic". His paper on 'Papilios' is with Smith, not having seen it since it was approved to be printed.
Happy to see that [Thomas] Marsham is "more profitably employed than attending the Linnean Society". Has been unable to attend since the hours were changed, suprised at Smith sanctioning them. Critiques an unnamed book apparently on ancient mythology. Recommends "History of the Heavens" ["Histoire du ciel considéré selon..."] by same author of "Spectacle de la Nature" [Noël-Antoine Pluche (1688-1761) French priest].
Thanks for present of book ["The natural history of the rarer lepidopterous insects of Georgia"] and acknowledgement therein, praises Smith's work, "upon the whole it has the three great requisites to a modern publication - good letter, good paper, and showy plates". Has a pair of 'Papilio lathonia'. Until seeing Smith's cabinets at Hammersmith was unable to distinguish between 'Phalaena', 'Padella', and 'Euonymella'; concluded that 'Euonymella' was not English, but this year [Adrian Hardy] Haworth [(1768-1833) botanist and entomologist] and another have found it and it is described by [John] Ray. Believes Smith is mistaken in his naming of the fly 'Argiolus' Tab. 15.