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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).
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.
Leaves parcel and letter for Smith, just received. His joy at having seen and conversed with Correa [at Linnean Society meeting].
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.
Since his arrival in Liverpool, Lancashire, has been eager to see Smith and hopes to visit him in Norwich, Norfolk, soon.
Received Smith's letter of 29 December. Unable to give a clear answer to Smith's secret request, seemingly to acquire a position in the United States for Smith's nephew, as the King of Portugal [João VI (1767-1826)] has appointed him to lead a royal establishment of the sciences and arts in Brazil, sailing by the February packet.
Unable to come to Norwich, Norfolk, as planned as he has been ordered to Paris, France. Reassures him that he shall think on a situation for Smith's nephew.
Compliments.
Sorry to hear Smith disappointed of the oysters he sent, and does not recall the Charles Smyth who remembers him from Oxford. Has attended only one Linnean dinner on account of his gout, they are very well attended and of a high quality. Sir Humphry Davy acquits himself well in Royal Society chair. Not anticipating Parliament having to decide what to do with the Queen [Caroline (1768-1821), wife of George IV], hopes she will not be permitted to "vent her spleen" further. Thanks for turkey.
Compliments Smith's "Grammar of Botany"; believes Smith, Corrêa, and [Robert] Brown only botanists skilled enough to tackle the subject and and Smith the only one to successfully tackle it. [Francisco Antonio] Zea and General Cortes attended the most recent Linnean dinner, "both rather mean looking men". Attended Sir Humphry Davy's conversazione, Captain [William] Parry [(1790-1855), Arctic explorer] also attended, he is writing his book in the country ["Journal of a Voyage to Discover the Northwest Passage" (1821)]. Attended Royal Society dinner and beginning of Antiquarian Society meeting; there was "a ponderous dull paper upon weights and measures" by Captain Kater. Davy a clearer orator than the Antiquarians' president, Lord Aberdeen [George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen (1784-1860)], whose election Goodenough thinks was an error of judgement.