Returns all the papers Smith has entrusted her with, except part of one of [Daniel] Solander's letters. If Smith cannot find the rest of Solander's letters asks that she could be let to look over others.
Showing 21–40 of 78 items
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).
Returns all the papers Smith has entrusted her with, except part of one of [Daniel] Solander's letters. If Smith cannot find the rest of Solander's letters asks that she could be let to look over others.
Sends her translation of [Peter Frederick] Suhm's [(1728-1798), historian] notes on the state of gardening and the "indications of spring" in Norway and Denmark; apologises for its poor quality.
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'.
Received Smith's letter of 13 April. Thanks for the mistletoe berries. A severe drought in Scotland has killed many young trees, herbaceous plants and crops "so that famine is staring us in the face". Working on his index and has now reached 'Didynamia' and 1500 species and has completed his commentary on the first part of the "Herbarium Amboinense" intended for the Wernerian Society in Edinburgh but despairs at their tardiness. Will continue his work on the "Hortus Malabaricus".
Recovering from a severe bout of typhus. Has heard Smith is working on fourth volume of "Flora Britannica", gives habitat for a rare 'Clavaria ardenia' of [James] Sowerby.
Sends a piece of Arabic poetry for Lady Smith. Eulogises on the "pleasing associations" made by encounters with friends in the "noise and bustle" of London.
Thanks for plants and copy of "Selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus"; his admiration of [Peter] Collinson [(1694-1768)] and [John] Ellis [(1710-1776)] from reading their letters. Extremely cold spring. Joy at wild specimen of '[Hedysarum] gyrans' and majestic fruit of the "Dalichos". Will forward [David] Hosack's parcel to Smith.
Leaves parcel and letter for Smith, just received. His joy at having seen and conversed with Correa [at Linnean Society meeting].
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.
Suspects [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert of dissimulation over the account he gave Smith of the Australian specimens received and in Lambert's care; more were in flower than stated, has set some aside for Smith. Received many Australian bulbs via his gardener in London; shall send Smith seed of 'Silene'. Anticipates Smith's intended visit next summer; will keep duplicates of Australian shells for Lady [Pleasance] Smith. Received 'Butonuis' from [Alexander] Macleay; requests cuttings of rarer willows. Pleased with his improvements at Nabotts, intends it to be a repository for bog and aquatic plants.
[Letter incomplete: two-thirds of second folio cropped, unclear if any text other than valediction and signature lost]
Requests directions for his New Holland plants for Smith. Visiting his cousin, Sir George Cockburn.
Too busy to visit Smith in Norwich, [Norfolk], as intended. Sending Australian plants specimens; expects another cargo with the next ships. Would be delighted to meet [William] Roscoe.
Thanks for turkey. Pleased Smith's health improved but recommends continuing daily dose of laundanum for a year. Surprised by failure of plan for monument to Sir Joseph [Banks]; he "certainly judged ill in not leaving a legacy to the Royal Society". Naming of Scottish judges.
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'.
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".
Encloses letters for Smith detailing a disagreement concerning Smith's niece [apparently concerning a situation for her as a governess].
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].
Thanks for book ["A grammar of botany" (1821)]; likes it the more because of its dedication to her mother [Susan Corrie]. Account of flowers showing in their garden: snow drops, Christmas roses, Dutch tulips, Scotch crocus, and double crimson hepaticas. Believes her tiger moth chrysalis is dead. Sends drawings of moths [extant].
Four drawings of moths and an insect, pencil on card: '[Phalaena] batis', '[Phalaena] dives', '[Phalaena] lichenaria', 'Tenthredo lutea' [dated 22 February].
Thanks for "A selection from the correspondence of Linnaeus"; hopes to have Smith to dinner next year when she has a house in London. Sending catalogue of her library at Eshton Hall, [Yorkshire]; found great part of the natural history books and classics at Bierly, and collected the rest herself.
Sending dried specimens of local plants; intends to make a complete collection of the flora of Mauritius, Madagascar, and the surrounding archipelago, two botanists already engaged on it.