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Describes the difficulty of [P. Laplace's] Mécanique céleste. Has a new pupil. Discusses proper boundary of a front view mirror.
Discusses problem of the ellipse and offers a method of solving it. States the proper boundary of a front mirror is too difficult to ascertain. Still having problems with teaching.
Describes lunar rainbow seen on 22 August. Congratulates JH on his mathematical attainments. Describes his enjoyment of mathematics. Hopes JH will continue to correspond.
His son broke his collar bone in a hunting accident but had good fortune to meet his surgeon on way home, hopeful of good recovery considering Duke of Portland's recovery from his many accidents.
Timber prices: informed by Dr Barham of Kent that Lord Despenser has lately sold English fir for 2500 at 3/9 per foot, and by Duke of Gordon that [James] Brodie has just also sold some advantageously; advising his friends to not pay more than 10d per cubic foot for Riga timber, it is now 5/8 at York, and there is none in Stockton-on-Tees, [County Durham] where it is usually sold.
Pleased with [Dawson] Turner's work [probably "Fucus sive plantarum fucorum..." (1808-1819)], Turner's 'T. pusillus' was amongst the drawings he sent Turner, found at Exmouth, [Devon], in 1799. Sent Turner receipt for an effective rheumatism medicine received from Hoppover two years ago.
Received Smith's letter of 24 [April]. An Aberystwyth surgeon has used "cuperose" with great effect to cure a young man's epileptic fits, and will write to him if Lady Amelia Hume wants the medicine. "Great loss" in death of [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician]. Returns Smith's manuscript and has made only minor corrections, offers plan of the present house [for Smith's "A tour to Hafod" (1810)].
Complains of the "miserable criticism" the "Edinburgh [Review]" of his [Jean de] Joinville [(1224-1317), French chronicler] translation; suspects it was "fabricated here by an ancient supposed friend". Laments "change in men's minds in last year", "they all seem unhinged" and they have "no heads and no leaders".
His family's tour of the north: visited Edinburgh, the south country of Scotland, Westmoreland to visit the Bishop of Llandaff [Richard Watson (1737-1817)], then Liverpool, [Lancashire]. Asks if Smith has seen Mr Blundell's collections at Ince, [Lancashire], where there are very fine marbles including a Theseus; he made him present of the "real hand" of his Bachuus, which is now complete. Disappointed to return to find rebuilding of Hafod ongoing.
Wishes Smith would print something in his "Tour of Hafod" to contradict the rumours that the Hafod estate is entailed on the male line, and to state that his daughter [Mariamne Johnes] will inherit it all.
Gratifiation at herbarium Smith sent to Liverpool [Botanic Garden]; the garden is progressing but he doubts whether botany will "ever make any effectual progress" in Liverpool area.
Received letter from [William George] Maton on 'Amomum repens', the true cardamon; agrees with Maton's inclination that from the drawing in [David] White's paper on subject read at Linnean Society it is a new genus, with reference to "Hortus Malabaricus" vol 11 tab 5&6; advises caution until Smith's idea of it being an 'Alpinia' is removed. Hopes Smith is continuing with his 'Scitamineae' research, about which "much remains to be done"; they have many at the Botanic Garden but they rarely flower. Anxious about Smith's brother.
Received Smith's letter of 31 January [1809]. Postponing their visit to Norwich on account of the miserable weather. Expects to see second fasciculus of "Flora Graeca". Uncertain whether [James] Sowerby's supplement to his "Fungi" is published. Never received 'Fucus' specimens from Sowerby, would be sorry to lose the 'F. abrotanifolius'; it needs to be carefully examined by Smith before it appears in "English botany" as the Linnaean specimen is old and broken, and [Dawson] Turner has not examined it and others with enough care; observations on the young leaves.
His health: consulted Dr Baillie and [William George] Maton, who both confirm his ideas; Maton says that none of the College preparations of antimony are as good as James's powder. He has two patients: Sophia Goodenough and his aunt Kindersley, the latter very weak and incapable of recovery. His trip to Cambridge to see William [Fitt Drake]; meetings and dinners. His time in London; meetings and dinners. William Smith and resignation of the Duke of York [Prince Frederick (1763-1827), son of George III, resigned as Commander-in-Chief following scandal caused by mistress selling army commissions]. Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] made a vice-president of the Royal Society. Lady Amelia Hume suffering epileptic fits.
Sends leaf and seed head of a 'Geum' gathered between Kendal and Shap, Cumberland, by Mr Forster of Stoney, thought to be either 'Geum montanum' or 'Geum rivale' [Smith annotation: "merely 2 states of 'G. rivale'"], sends a seed of the latter for comparison and imparts his own opinions. Also sends specimens of an 'Epilobium' from Westmorland.
Sending two copies of his Botanic pamphlets and some of the plates of Cupani's "Panphyton siculum", touched up by Bonanno. Invites Smith to contribute to the "Sicilian Flora". Refrained from sending specimens as they would have been accompanied by a request for "elucidation". Asks whether the fourth volume of "Flora Britannica" has been published yet.
[Copy or draft] Thanks Bernardi for pamphlets and Cupani book. Would like specimens of the rare plants described in Bernardi's works, especially the 'Orchideae'. Happy to help with his botanical correspondence. Sending an [unnamed] English book, the introudction of which translated into Italian may encourage the study of botany in Italy. Hoping to finish the fourth volume of "Flora Britannica" by next winter. Believes Bernardi's 'Allium album' is 'Allium lacteum' of "Flora Graeca".
Has previously written to Smith on an animal of the 'Physophora' genus. Staying at home of [Thomas] Jefferson [3rd President of USA] with Jefferson's son-in-law, [Thomas Mann] Randolph [Jr.], an "excellent naturalist". Has discovered at least two orchids not described in books following Smith's request to look into 'Orchidaceae', many species in America. Found two species of 'Helleborine' established but not described by [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon, two new 'Cacalia' and a new 'Talinum'. Believes America will be rich in 'Cryptogramia'; 'Lichen Sepincola' is abundant on 'Pinus taeda'; also rich in 'Carex'. Leaving shortly to explore Louisiana as a "first Reaper" and will winter at Fort St Louis on the Mississippi with Captain Lewis, who was sent by President Jefferson to explore the Missouri and has discovered 20 new species of animal. Randolph cultivating 'Holcus sorghum', 'Sorghum vulgare' of Persoon, and 'Sesamum indicum' for oil.