Regarding his projected supplement. Calculus of deviations. Naming of periodical functions. [John?] Spence's manuscript.
Has found 'Potentilla rupestris' in the Breiddin Hills, near border with Shropshire, which from "English Botany" he is led to believe had been presumed a doubtful native due to it not being found again, will send Smith specimens if interested. Believes the hill he found it on may be the same as where [John] Ray first discovered it. Has also found two other rare plants, in the same place, mentioned by Ray; 'Veronica hybrida' and 'Lychnis Viscaria', and 'Hieracium murorum'. Desires to fix 'Veronica hybrida' as distinct from 'Veronica spicata', compares with a description only of the latter. Hopes to see a supplementary volume to "English Botany". Describes a 'Briza' unlike any of the Enlgish species and an 'Aspidium' which does not correspond with [James] Sowerby's figures, criticises Sowerby's plates of ferns as "not sufficiently characteristic of the different species".
Does not see a connection between the birthing and the death of one of Dr [Edward] Rigby's [(1747-1821)] quadruplets. Surprised that it took Smith so long to find 'Thlaspi arvense'; recalls finding it in abundance in the turnip and corn fields of Brompton, Oxfordshire, from whence he sent it to [William] Curtis for "Flora Londinensis" and supplied the London cultivators with seeds.
Glorious weather for the last six weeks but sharp frosts at night, heralded by the arrival of the Barnacle goose 'Anas erythropus'. Discusses Linnaeus' naming of two species under 'erythropus', his own being the male, and [John] Latham's 'albifrons' being the female. Thinks [Dawson] Turner undertook too much with his "Fucus". Ashamed by [Thomas] Marsham's behaviour [repeated delays in repaying money owed to Linnean Society]. Has not seen any of [John] Stackhouse's work but never had any opinion of his "skill or candour". Surprised that Sir Joseph Banks is to make his Lincolnshire journey, and admires the Bishop of Durham's [Shute Barrington] activity at the age of 85 and a half. [Elizabeth] Hill [(c 1760-1850), algologist] in distressed circumstances and contemplating teaching marine botany.
Poses mathematical problems for 'polar equations of conic sections.'
On horse back riding, the law, and the birth of a daughter.
No summary available.
Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Reports that [John] Haviland, Regius Professor of Physic and a trustee of Dr [John] Walker's [(1731-1803) professor of natural history] botanical readership, is opposed to [Thomas] Martyn resigning if it causes an election, in which case he [Peacock] would have to prefer a university member candidate. Haviland is under the influence of Dr [James] Wood [(1760-1839)], the current vice-chancellor, who is strongly prejudiced against Smith. For certain success, as [William] Webb is to be the next vice-chancellor, proposes Smith gains three trustees' support and have Martyn resign without conditions. Recommends Provost of King's College [George Thackeray] as best conduit for Smith's wishes. If the professorship is appointed via the Senate he [Peacock] shall canvas for Smith with junior university members.
Discusses editorial actions taken by JH in editing mathematical manuscripts of William Spence, including materials recently sent to JH by JG.
Hopes to visit him in a few days. Regarding the calculus of derivations. Periodic functions. Is taking up mineralogy.
Invites WW and [Thomas] Leybourn to join JH for dinner while Charles Babbage is visiting JH at Slough.
Has sent JH's continuation of William Spence's 'Outlines' to press without any alteration. Gives the scheme adopted for the makeup of the volume. Hopes JH agrees; if not write at once as he is leaving London for some time.
No summary available.
A further dividend is to be made on the estate of White, Cochrane & Co. [publishers], instructed to write to Smith requesting £44 14s, being the balance due from Smith to the estate.
[Smith has briefly annotated his reply at bottom of verso of folio]
Franked Smith's letter to [John Eddowes] Bowman. The line of distinction between 'Veronica hybrida' and 'Veronica spicata' is imperfectly marked, recalls having plants of both in his Ealing garden. Certain that Linnaeus was incorrect in labelling 'Anas albifrons' the female of 'Anas erythropus', as proved by his having obtained a female specimen of the latter.
Thinks it strange that Dr [Edward] Rigby's [(1747-1821)] quadruplets died so suddenly and without apparent cause. His daughter, Mrs Lynn, became ill with a fever whilst visiting with five of her nine children; Goodenough had to treat her himself with "a good bleeding", diluting and refrigerant liquids, and gentle purgatives. Cumberland farmers finishing their harvests, typhus fever has been worse than usual there this autumn.
Garden developments: success of his recently constructed mushroom house, adapted from [Isaac] Oldacre's [(fl 1810s-1852), Lady Banks' gardener at Spring Grove, Isleworth, Middlesex] engraved plan but with flue above ground; explains benefits with small ink sketch. New peach house: Oldacre recommends "noblesse" and "Galande" as those which force best, but [James] Lee prefers the "Buckingham mignon"; details of the building.
Regrets missing the recent show of fruits at the Horticultural Society. Intends to try Lee's recommendation of Verdeltro grapes; reported to be very hardy and one of the grapes Madeira wine is made from. His daughter and Lady George Murray prefer the green Egyptian melon to any other. One of [Erik] Pontoppidan's [(1698-1764), Danish bishop] sea serpents "seems to have got down the American coast - to gobble up herrings!". Recently received 'Linnaea' specimen from [James] Brodie. Praises botanical zeal of Miss Murray, Lady George's unmarried daughter; she began with mosses and would walk five miles to find a 'Phuscum' and brought many mosses from Isle of Man; compares her beginning and Joseph Dalton's with 'Carex' to beginning music with thoroughbass.
Has an ear of 'Talavera' wheat from near Cirencester, [Gloucestershire], and two from Gordon Castle, [Moray]. Ate last green melon yesterday, small but excellent. Prices of apples: abundance of French apples at York imported to Hull, [Yorkshire], at 16/ per bushel; recently given 20/ for natives and 24/ at Thirsk, [Yorkshire], his gardener thinks the French "most like cur Hawthorn Dean".
No summary available.
Accepts invitation to visit Slough and meet Charles Babbage. [Thomas] Leybourn may accompany WW. Seeking area of conic sections.
Book will be arranged according to JH's wishes. Underwoods are to be the publishers. Is pleased JH has found signs of greatness in William Spence's works. Hopes JH will show this in his biographical introduction.
Forwards book by [Jean Vincent Félix] Lamouroux [(1779-1825), botanist] Smith purchased off him. Requests Smith's opinion on enclosed 'Ulva' specimen [Smith annotation: "merely 'Fucus saccharinus' rather longe!"]. He has been in Shropshire this summer, studying the larch beetle , which "continues its ravages"; in correspondence with [William] Kirby on subject and will present paper to Linnean Society.
Frustrated by the shortsightedness of his servants who do not consider the seven mile journey to Carlisle necessary to procure anything. Interested by all details of the birth and extreme suddeness of deaths of Dr [Edward] Rigby's [(1747-1821)] quadruplets; would like there to be a postmortem carried out on the last to die. Typhus fever endemic in the unclean parts of Carlisle, although it was only noticed after one of the physicians died of it; Goodenough thinks he might have recovered had he been allowed enough wine.
Seeing the pods of 'Thlaspi arvense' reminded him of his father's Oxfordshire home and the plant being mentioned in [William] Curtis' "Flora Londinensis", which he now reads for the comfort it brings in reminding him of old friends. Recently received as "rarities" 'Erysimum barbarea' and 'Agrostemma coronaria' but has not yet received 'Potentilla rupestris'. Remarks on a theory of Dr Clarke's regaring the tomb of Joseph and the Pyramids. Cumberland hills covered in snow, some "lazy" farmers still have cut corn in the fields.