From:
Joseph Banks
To:
Paul Henry Maty
Date:
29 March 1784
Source of text:
MM/1/33, Royal Society
Summary:
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Contributor:
Royal Society
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Has sent a letter introducing Smith to Professor [Frédéric-Louis] Allamand of Le[i]den, and will ask Allamand to introduce Smith to Professor [David] van Royen. Also a copy of Banks' letter of introduction, in Smith's hand.
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Vindicated in his suspicions that Smith's visit to [Nicolaas Laurens] Burman would not be propitious. Offers letters of introduction on the Continent. Has received a living 'Nepenthes' from China as well as two species of 'Grass aromatic' and an "'Armeria' or rather 'Cepia'". 'Holcus odaratus' has rapidly increased in his garden. Has received König's bequest of manuscripts and herbarium, including 'Sanguit draeanis' and 'Gummi gutta' [Johann Gerhard Koenig (1728-1785) German botanist].
[Note in Smith's hand] "with Mr Wadde's curious epistle".
As of yet has been unable to see [Charles Louis] L'Héritier [de Brutelle's] herbarium. Encloses two letters of introduction for Naples, one for Sir William Hamilton and the other to [John] Graeffer [(d 1802)], the gardener Banks sent to the Queen of Naples, from whom Banks believes Smith will receive more assistance. Danish botanist [Olof] Swartz has returned to London from the West Indies.
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Confusion over Stelarzani business, following letters from [Giovanni Antonio] Scopoli and Seraphin Volta. [Charles Louis] L'Héritier [de Brutelle] is in England being difficult with specimens. Value of [Olof] Swartz's herbarium, "the best botanist [Banks] has seen since dear Solander's death". Appointments at the British Museum and comments on Richard Penneck, Keeper of the Reading Room. Proceedings at the Royal Society; an account from [Sir Frederick William] Herschel of volcanoes burning on the moon.
[Charles Louis] L'Héritier [de Brutelle] is still in England, amusement at his behaviour. Cautions Smith against showing Linnaeus's herbarium to L'Héritier as he will try to find, and publish, faults and lower its value, "which ought not to be as it must be the real standard to prove the meaning of Old Linnaeus's works". Thinking of bringing forward publication of William Aiton's catalogue of "the garden" [Kew] to preempt possibility of L'Héritier not acknowledging them in his own work. Queen Charlotte's botany lessons with Aiton. The ship being sent to bring the breadfruit to the West Indies will bring many plants from there. Comments on the gardens at St Vincent's and Bengal and hopes for another to be established soon in Madras. Remarks that [Olof] Swartz is the best botanist he has seen since Solander and hopes to have him supply König's place in India [Johann Gerhard Koenig (1728-1785) German botanist].
Separate note requesting Smith to bring seed of 'Racine de disette'.
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