No summary available.
No summary available.
Has heard of Smith's ill health from [Richard] Salisbury. Reassures Smith that the parcel he sent for [Rodrigo] de Sousa [Countinho] has not arrived too late and it will sail on the "Hero of the Nile". Ensures Smith that the paper he writes for the [Lisbon] Academy will be safely conveyed. Grateful for Smith's having looked at the 'Mazeutoxeron', and although his paper is much earlier than [Jacques Julien Houton de] la Billardière's [Antoine Laurent de] Jussieu has decided to support the old name, however he is going to speak to Billardière about it.
Long list of specimens with habitats sent to Smith [possibly two different letters].
Has engaged [James] Sowerby to colour and engrave his daughter's drawing [of a 'Cycas']; asks Smith to advise on any additions needed, and offers use of it to Linnean Society.
Relates "melancholy news" of a girl who has been the "victim of too much sensibility and inexperience" who became acquainted with "an imprudent young man, now shut up in the Tower". Has not yet looked into "Flora Britannica", believes it is generally a "dull period for botany". Regrets that "Flora Graeca" is not to proceed as intended in Bauer's essay. Delayed replying to a Linnean Society letter regarding obtaining a charter.
Investigated report in old letter from [Samuel] Goodenough that 'Veronica spicata' and 'Veronica hybrida' grow on a chalk bank at Icklingham, [Suffolk], with assistance of his "Calendarium florae", and in relating his observations thinks there are two species of 'Veronica'. Found a 'Serapias' distinct from Smith's "English Botany" 'Serapias latifolia' in Dunmow, [Essex], and Clare, [Suffolk], woods as mentioned on p.442 of [John] Gerard [(1545-1612), herbalist]. Observations on the 'Oppioglossum' he recently collected in every state. Praises Smith's paper on 'Mentha', found it much clearer than [William] Sole's "Menthae Britannicae". 'Erysimum cheiranthoides' in full flower in their sandy hills. Encloses specimens of the 'Veronica' discussed.
Received Smith's letter of 14 [September]. Spent the week with "our friend Edwards" and a French friend of his, who confirmed suspicions that they were ignorant of what was happening in France; it would take a volume "as big as Boswell's "Life of Johnson" to inform Smith of all the information he learnt. Unluckily, Mariamne's new master, Signor Bianchi, came whilst they were staying and "the Frenchman & Italian were in a constant scene of war". Convinced he will like the plates of Hafod, and Edwards is pushing for 250 copies as he is sure they will sell.
Thanks for the seeds. Asks if Smith thinks maize will grow here, as he wishes to introduce polenta to his poor people, and the stalks would feed pigs. Will finish his first volume of Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] before Christmas. Requests same quantity of fearnought [thick cloth for overcoats] as last year.
Under another cover sends Smith a specimen of a mineral found here which none of the miners know what it is. Asks the value of manganese and best market for it. Anticipates valuable deposits of lead and copper in Beulahwalter hill opposite his house, though it will spoil the scenery and cause a contest between avarice and pleasure. [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] has had a sever ague.