Advises WW on how to submit WW's paper on crystallography to the R.S.L. Asks him to visit Henry White.
Strongly praises WW's completed paper on crystallography. Questions one point in it.
Was pleased to receive JH's letter. Regrets to hear of the death of Sir William Herschel. Grateful to the Board of Longitude for their assistance. Regarding the deficiencies of one of the clocks. Work carried out. Site has been approved for the new observatory.
Is applying for the position of actuary at the Law Life Assurance Society and would be glad of a letter of recommendation from JH; please direct a letter to Messrs. Peace as soon as possible.
Received the letter. Hopes he will be successful in his application for the position of Actuary to the Law Life Society. Has a high opinion of his mathematical papers and has used his system in his own works.
Has been very busy and has only now had a chance to work on the inscription. Suggests various forms. Would like his comments on these.
Queries regarding Sir William Herschel's telescopes, and requesting JH's advice on certain astronomical matters.
About meeting Walter Scott, lawsuits and family news.
About books JG has read including some poems by JH.
Is coming to London and wants to see JH.
At Smith's request sent [Joseph] Woods [(1776-1864)] specimens of roses. Would have liked to have seen the proofs of Smith's work on 'Rosa' [probably for "English flora"], hopes it settles all the points between Woods, [John] Lindley [(1799-1865)], and others. Hears of a new work on 'Rubus' [Weihe's "Rubi Germanici" (1822-1827)], expects the genus to be "divided very much".
Remarks on 'Rosa' specimens.
Returns letters, which "scarcely contained anything of interest enough for a regular translation".
Suffering from a nervous debility caused by overwork; fears he will be unable to take up invitation to Norfolk. Preparing to publish a memoir of Monandrian plants and would like Smith's opinion on his figures. Received letter from [Nathaniel] Wallich giving an account of his expedition to Nepal and Singapore, the diseases he suffered, and the "immense acquisitions" he has made, which form the most valuable collection of living plants the Liverpool Botanic Garden has ever received, including 'Scitamineae' roots which are already shooting thanks to being packed in moss; he did not have time to write to Smith. Rejoices with Smith on marriage of his "amiable niece".
Visited Rev [John] Mitford, " a most liberal clergyman, learned & accomplished, a great friend of liberty, & a venerator of [Roscoe] & all [his] works", whilst staying with Lady [Pleasance] Smith's aunt in Saxmundham, [Suffolk]; he has a "choice garden" and a fine library, and is an elegant poet; offers Roscoe "important" papers on [Alexander] Pope.
Hopes to meet Roscoe at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke], where he can see Coke's "truly worthy lady" [Anne Amelia, nèe Keppel (1803-1844), Coke's recently married second wife]; dates for his intended visit; will attempt to introduce Mitford. Eager to discuss 'Scitamineae' plants with Roscoe. So pressed by his "[English] Flora" that he will have to work on the index at Holkham; currently on roses and briars.
Queries Smith's article on 'Vaccinium' in [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia": considers 'V. virgatum' and 'V. fuscatum' as probably one species, and disagrees that they are both varieties of 'V. corymbosum' ; considers 'V. galeformis' variety of 'V. corymbosum; encloses specimens of 'V. marianum', 'V. grandiflorum', and unknown 'Vaccinium', observations, Smith has annotated his responses. Also 'V. salicinum' and 'V. vergatum' listed.
Met Master Coke [son of Thomas William Coke], recovering from near fatal influenza. Mrs S Stanhope miscarried at 4 months. Has seen Lady Andover; Mr Dickenson; [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, his wife [Catherine] much less disturbed than last year; Mrs Bostock, who says Mrs Martin, [Smith's sister, Fanny], deceived in Mr Martin's business abilities; the Sims; visited Dr Baillie, who is ill, prescribed opium for his complaint. Ages of various friends.
His visit to Sunninghill, [Berkshire], to visit his cousins [the Kindersleys]; the children. Attended last Linnean Society meeting of the season. Botanised at Soho Square and saw Belzoni's "famous sarcophagus" at the British Museum. Regathered his strength following cholera attack with milk and rose conserve. His time at Upton and Hale's End, [Essex], with the Forsters: attended a Quaker's meeting at Plaistow, [Essex]; saw Mr and Mrs Dimsdale. Invited by [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor] to discuss his bust.
Sir Thomas and Lady Cullum "tolerably well", though Sir Thomas had an eruption in his legs. Account of remainder of his time in London, including his meeting with [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor]; breakfasted with [Thomas] Forster, who is forced to give up Bleak Hall; attended dinner at Mr Malkin's. Visited Ickworth and Mr Barnwell with Lady Cullum; too much Portugal laurel.
[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]
Received copy of Smith's "Defence of the Church and Universities of England". Currently engaged in an "important Chancery-suit". Offers to show Smith the manuscripts of [John] Stackhouse. Wwriting a commentary on the reminiscences of Charles Butler, including Butler's opinion of Gray. Asks Smith's opinion on the 'Acanthus' of Virgil as described by Barker in the notes of [Charles] Symmons' [(1749-1826), poet and biographer] translation of Virgil. Comments on [Johann Heinrich] Voss's translation of Virgil and effect on opinions of German botanists. Sends two pamphlets, one against Blomfield and Monk, and the other on Greek independence.
Thanks Smith for pamphlet and papers on the Norwich Literary Institution. Offers to lend Smith Savi's 'Observationes in varias Trifoliorum species'. Remarks on Charles Butler [(1750-1832), Roman Catholic layman and lawyer]. Admiration for William Roscoe, desires to get him interested in Greek independence. Thanks Smith for his desire to assist in the Greek cause and suggests the establishment of a committee in Norwich to that end.
Manuscript copies, in Barker's hand, of a circular from a committee in Brighton in support of Greek independence, and of a letter received from William Thornton of Washington, USA, on the same.