Sending a paper for the R.S.L. Humphry Davy does not approve entirely of his arguments. Would be pleased if JH would glance over it and then inform Davy that he has it.
Has read his paper on vaporization with much interest and can see no objections to its arguments. Comments on some of the details.
[More detailed version of JH's 1826-5-26]. Has mentioned it to Humphry Davy.
Was grateful for JH's letter and detailed notes. Hopes he will attach a copy to the paper when he communicates it to the R.S.L.
Has just received his letter. Has had no opportunity of examining the iron. Several years ago he made some experiments on the alloys of lead and cast iron, but does not remember the results. Is surprised that no new metal has been found in meteorites.
Has received JH's letter informing him that he has been made an associate member of the Astronomical Society. Is very grateful for this honor.
Observed this morning, for the first time, a comet. Gives readings.
Giving further details and readings of the comet he has been observing.
Sending a copy of his letter he has sent to J. B. J. Fourier [see JG's 1826-11-22]. Comments on readings and observations of this comet.
Has heard nothing from JH since he left the island. Would like to hear regarding the height of Etna and the latest comet.
Has been transcribing his paper on suspensions. Comments on this and hopes it will be received by the council. Would like to know if his paper has been received.
Was favored with his letter. Comments on his paper and revised it. Hopes to be in town on Thursday. Believes [Stephen] Lee has the last number of Annales de chimie.
Prevented by his poor health and incessant occupations from joining the Smiths at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke].
Asks Smith's opinion of most recent parts of his "Monandrain Plants", particularly the descriptions. His greatest difficulty has been acquiring species of 'Amomum'; none have flowered [at Liverpool Botanic Garden]; asks if there are any in the drawings Smith received from Dr [Francis] Hamilton for "Exotic Botany". Settled the boundary between 'Maranta' and 'Phrynium', excluding [Georg Friedrich Wilhelm] Meyer's 'Calathea' which he has included in 'Phrynium', though notes that [John] Lindley [(1799-1865), botanist] is trying to establish it in new edition of "Bot. Reg." and Sprengel also recognises it.
Only just received Smith's letter of 7 April [1826]. Pleased by Smith's opinion of his "Monandrian Plants". Discusses plants to be included in his proposed genus 'Matonia', the true 'Cardamom' of the East and 'Renealmia/Alpinia exaltata'; notes on character. Obtained specimens of an 'Amomum' nearly related to Smith's 'A. macrospermum', the 'Zingiber melegueta' of Gaertner. Hopes Smith's family are relieved from the "vexation & anxiety" arising from the character of Mr Martin's business partner; defends himself for not saying anything of it at the time.
Postscript in margin of recto of first folio: on Smith's recommendation giving his synoptical tables in Latin, not English.
Looking over Roscoe's "great work" ["Mondandrian Plants"] with a botanical friend; very satisfied with it and eager to see all his species of 'Costus', which has previously been in complete disorder. No 'Amomum' amongst [Francis] Hamilton's drawings and collections; made use of own little-known ones in "Supplementum" to Rees' "Cyclopedia".
Unable to accept [Thomas William] Coke's recent invitation to Holkham, [Norfolk], as he needs to finish his "[English] Flora"; cannot write letters or attend to other people's concerns, either. Hopes to see Roscoe at Holkham and Norwich before winter sets in; already suffering from rheumatism. Suggests very great heat, drought, or starvation for 'Amomum granum paradisi' to flower.
Smith's ["English Flora"] will fulfill a "desideratum in the botany of this country that no other hand could have supplied". Discusses forthcoming numbers of his "Monandrian Plants", including: 'Maranta divaricata'; 'Phrynium parkeri'; 'Thalia geniculata'; compared 'Phrynium myrosma' with 'Myrosma canniformis' from Smith's herbarium and identified error by [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow who should have named 'Phrynium capitatum' 'Myrosma capitata'.
Received from Demarara preserved flower of largest 'Amomum', conludes it is the melegueta pepper, or grains of paradise; observations. Committed to finishing his work before visiting Smith. Anxious about Dawson Turner's health. Unsure of reaction to his 'Matonia', which will unite the "finest aromatic plants of the Easter and Western Hemisphere"; asks Smith to review his materials.
Change in the weather; "extraordinary phenomena" of a "yellowish substance" observed on surface of rain water cisterns which on burning proved to be sulphur; Mr Dalton the chemist says it has not been observed since the execution of Charles I and Cromwell's usurpation, as mentioned by Baker, unable to find this in his "Chronicles"; other opinions on the cause, including being swept up from volcanic mountains. Discussion of Norwich election with Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)]. A grebe taken on a ship's deck; sent to be stuffed. A very bad mackerel voyage, causing the pedlars to make trouble. Dined at the Lockwood's; a picture of Mrs Lockwood's great aunt by Sir Thomas Lawrence.
Account of his and Charles' [nephew of Smith's] excursion to Sunninghill, [Berkshire, home of Smith's Kindersley cousins]; a violent storm with hail, which they collected for iced water; visited Mr Barclay's grand house, including stoves and botanic gardens; searched in vain for tomb or memorial of his uncle Ireland in Reigate, [Surrey], church, the sexton had known his uncle and knew of the "incestuous anecdote". Everyone praises his improved looks and colour. Looked at carpet patterns; his opinion. Sitting for last time for [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor] tomorrow.
[Letter incomplete: folio[s] missing or destroyed, fragment of second folio pasted to end of recto of folio]
Appointed Professeur au Jardin du Roi.
Invites Smith to view his collection of plants at Bury Hill.