From:
John Southern
To:
Samuel Vince
Date:
19 January 1801
Source of text:
L&P/12/1, Royal Society
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Royal Society
Showing 1–20 of 103 items
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
Forwarded letter to [Richard] Salisbury. Sorry to hear of Smith's poor health. Unable to procur specimens of 'Poa procumbens' this season for Smith's Lady friend. Encloses a grass which grows "by the Avon side below the Hotwells". [William] Curtis' 'Poa retroflexa' grows near him on dry soil in a thick patch where an old road was obliterated, sees no difference between the two except that Avon plant is two or three feet high. There is no snow and colour of grass not changed by frost, cattle are out and he is about to sow wheat. Criticises [James] Sowerby's figure of 'Fucus roseus' for not resembling any specimen he has seen; lists differences.
Makes observation on upper pair of leaves in his 'Rubus' compared to [James] Sowerby's; brought specimens for Sir Joseph Banks but he does not think there is a second species. Has his 'Ulva lumbricalis' for Smith. Has taken his seat but unsure how long he will hold it and confusion of politics prevents the arrangement in which his brother is concerned from taking place at present. Has just received Chelmsford felons' calendar with 110 names, the Yorkshire has 59.
His eldest son, aged 20, has developed consumption and they are about to embark for either Lisbon or Madeira subject to Dr Ritcairn's opinion. Received Smith's letter on 'Chelone barbata'.
Dr Ritcairn has written him with encouraging account of Madeira so is determined to set out as soon as possible with his son [suffering from consumption].
Dr Belcombe advises staying in England until end of September [Frankland's eldest son suffering from consumption]; frustrated that both Lisbon and Madeira are currently inaccessible, with the latter being in possession of English troops. Assured by the Thirkleby apothecary that his son has no bad symptoms, a usual pulse and no heat to his skin, and that what he spat in the morning was only mucus. As Smith speaks of himself as consumptive requests outline of his complaint.
Grateful for Smith's account of his own consumptive condition which "confirms strongly how much we are often deceived by following a particular plan or medicine from the report of such a one having been relieved by it". Smith's condition is pulmonary and less serious than his son's as it does not tend to ulceration. Dr Pitcairn says his son has no symptoms of ulceration and strongly recommends undertaking the voyage to Madeira with anecdote of a debilitated neighbour who went last winter and recovered.
Details of his son's condition: he contracted a venereal complaint at Oxford last April and having always had a delicate constitution the treatment of it affected him so much that he was obliged to tell Lady Frankland the truth, and his stength had recovered his strength until he started spitting blood; he is now stronger and looks better than he did and is confident that a general and radical strengthening of his constitution will make him better. The concealment of his son's illness whilst he was in London caused himself two or three bilious attacks.
Details of their journey to Portsmouth, [Hampshire], to sail for Madeira on the Falcon under Captain Nash. His son stronger and more cheerful since leaving home and has no heats or chills. They have the best letters of recommendation and gun portfolios for amusement as there will be quails, red legged partridges and rabbits in abundance.
Has so far failed to find the '[Lichen] floridus' for Smith. Will preserve Smith specimens of 'Conchium salicinum', though its pods are so hard she will struggle to dry them. Offers to send seed of 'Spartium monospermum' which has sparingly ripened this year. Thanks for seeds of 'Chelone barbata', she has given half to Todd, the gardener, and she will sow other half in spring. Anticipates her garden will be in "high beauty" next summer as her father gave her much manure and a man to take care of them, and she now has her mother's 'Auricula' collections. 'Strelitzia reginae' soon in "high beauty", it has many pods. Asks what the enclosed specimen is, it was found on the hills by Todd two years ago.
Rejoices with Smith on "happy event of peace" and hopes it be permanent; supposes Norwich was "very gay" with illuminations, she only had her dressing room illuminated. Congratulates Smith on his "vocal parties". Requests seeds or root of 'Gentiana verna', being delighted with the account of it in [William] Curtis' "[Botanical] Magazine".
Rages at ingratitude he has met with [no details of incident are provided]: wishes Smith would create a work on the plan of Baron Borne's "Monochologia" and call it "Causidicologica", from the "lowest blotter of paper to the director of a Royal Conscience", and would give Smith all the necessary assistance needed. Best accounts of his daughter's [Mariamne Johnes] health: thanks to [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] living in "such a consumptive latitude" he "sees it in all shapes" so they were alarmed in time and by following his advice she has recovered. Does not think she had any pulmonary disease but it might have developed, they went to Clifton [near Bristol] for treatment.
Thanks Smith for what he says of the naked barley but [Thomas William] Coke told him it was very unproductive. Asks if Smith knows of an American wheat which is six weeks earlier than the common sort, informed of by Mr Galton. His farm and garden doing "vastly well", especially the dairy, and next year intends to have 50 to 60 cows. His family rejoice at Weston's good fortune.
Received Smith's letter yesterday; responds to point about his housekeeper and gratuities paid to his staff by guests by reiterating that he "cannot help it" and that the majority of those touring this area treat it as a "conquered country" and "their dirty conduct is scarce credible". His orders have been for the housekeeper to take 2/6 from single persons, and 5/ from groups, and though she is an excellent servant she is "certainly fond of gaining money" and feels hurt that at those who "pompously come in curricle" offer only a shilling. Quotes part of a poem in French. Everything he hears against the peace confirms him more in it.
Informs Smith that Symmons has bought a place near Llanelly and hears "he has married his whore". Mrs Johnes thanks Smith for seeds of 'Veratium'.