Has received the regulations of the Astronomical Society of London—a great encouragement to astronomers. Has made observations on the orbit of the comet. Has sent two memoirs to T. M. Brisbane.
Honored on being elected Foreign Member of the Astronomical Society of London. Finds that the comet he observed in January had already been seen by J. N. Nicollet and J. L. Pons. Saw the remarkable appearance on the dark part of the moon noticed by Henry Kater. Thinks Kater's theory is wrong. Will soon be bringing out a paper on the moon's volcanoes.
Sends John Flamsteed's Atlas and Catalogue. Discusses JH's intention to review all of William Herschel's double stars. Wants details of JH's appointment to committee.
When will JH arrive?
There is an opening for a Lay fellowship. Is JH interested? News of J. W. Whittaker's appointment.
Though he could qualify, he would rather not try for the fellowship as he does not require it so much as some other persons may.
Can he give him the address of Capt. W. E. Parry? Should he send a report to Humphry Davy?
JB was elected associate of Astronomical Society. Asks that Society's annual prize be announced in Jahrbuch. Please insert 'Reclamation' of Francis Baily against Jabbo Oltmanns, relative to the eclipse of [Thales?], into next Ephemeris. Send copies of JB's Ephemeris for T. F. Colby and for Society.
Elected to membership in Astronomical Society. Subjects of annual prize. What is title of [C.] Brioschi's work?
Sorry to hear JH's father and mother are ill and cannot visit Bath. Received account of new Astronomical Society of London. Honored to be listed as member with old friend William Herschel.
Residing outside London. Will return for balloting of [William?] Bridgman at Thursday's R.S.L. meeting.
Responds to JG's consolations [see JG's 1820-11-6] in JH's loss [Miss Gwatkin?]; comments on his commitment to astronomy, together with family news [letter completed 1821-3-12].
Family news, JG's reduced circumstances, and public affairs.
Will endeavour to profit by Smith's "Grammar of Botany" and though glad he has explained [Antoine Laurent de] Jussieu's system will not bother to learn it as he does not find it "more natural" and there are irreconcilables in it. Praises the book's dedication.
Has written on identification of sex of woodcocks and commissioned a nephew in Dublin for opinion of Irish sportsmen; does not recall his authority for male's exterior quill feather to be barred the whole length, but the Irish think the male is larger, has most white at the edge, yellow legs, and a much darker head and neck, and the female dark slate coloured legs. Duke of Gordon's confirmation by examining supposed male "saw the testicles most distinctly".
He has two peach trees "just now showing their habitual excitability" which had just been transplanted out from glass to the open and protected them with oiled paper frames. His son's address whilst attending Parliament.
His weekly fish from Hartlepool, [Yorkshire], just come in, including more than 2lb 1/2 of whitings but often have them as large, and has lately had smelts more than 10 inches long.
Sends the first part of his commentary on the "Hortus Malabaricus", if suitable for "Linnean Transactions" will forward the rest. The Wernerian Society in Edinburgh will print a similar commentary on the "Herbarium Amboinense". Arranging the dried plants he brought from India according to the Linnaean method and compiling an index, explains his methodology. Reports the progress of the commentary, having reached 'Hexandria' and already has 900 species. Would like to discuss with Smith what to do with specimen duplicates. Has sent an account of his botanical work in India to the Royal Society of Edinburgh which will form an introduction to his commentaries. Requests berries of the 'Viscum'.
Sends concluding numbers of his "Medical Botany"; apologises for the quality of the engravings, a consequence of the "low state of the arts" in USA; engraved in aquatint and printed in colours. Thanks for naming a genus in his honour ['Bigelowia']; unknown to him until supplement of Rees' "Cyclopedia" was reprinted here; recently obtained specimen of a new 'B. pubescens' from Mr Nuttall of Louisiana; [Jean Louis Marie] Poiret [(1755-1834), botanist] has named the genus 'Forrestiera'.
Encloses letters for Smith detailing a disagreement concerning Smith's niece [apparently concerning a situation for her as a governess].
Acknowledges that the agreement between his niece and the Brandreths was as complete as possible [apparently for a situation as governess] but was unaware of recent developments; he had been commissioned to find a situation for her and was dissatisfied by "the Paris scheme". Upset by attack on his moral principles [crossed out].
Encloses latest list of subscribers [extant] to his "History of Birds". Examined [Coenraad Jacob] Temminck's [(1778-1858), zoologist] "Manuel [d'ornithologie]" for the work, notes on new genera added to Linnaeus'. Printing expected to commence imminently. Unable to determine whether there will be any ornithology in next "Linnean Transactions", in spite of seeing a list of New Holland parrots when last in London. Asks if Smith knows whether Dr Horrfield will be publishing any of the specimens he brought from Java and Ceylon. Still awaiting news of European subscribers.
Written on printed prospectus and list of subscribers for "Latham's History of Birds".
Received Smith's letter of 25 February. Advises Smith to set his nephew up in a London or Liverpool mercantile house that follows the Brazil trade so as to obtain a paid voyage to Brazil, where Corrêa would then be able to fulfill the promises he made to Smith in placing him in a Brazilian mercantile house.