Writes to JH to encourage him to come to London.
Showing 21–40 of 136 items
Writes to JH to encourage him to come to London.
Thanks for Smith's letter of 8 March [1813] and "valuable packet of plants". Offers to procure Smith any Northumberland or Durham plants not currently in Smith's herbarium, now that "English botany" is drawing to a close. Encloses specimen of 'Utricularia intermedia' [extant] for English habitat for plant, 'Utricularia vulgaris' grows with it; 'Rosa rubella' found on sea coast of South Shields, Durham.
Requests specimen of 'Senecio sylvatica'; plant so named in his catalogue as common in this neighbourhood is 'Senecio lividus' of Willdenow and "English botany". Asks if Smith received specimens of 'Saxifraga hirculus' and 'Sagina maritima'.
Specimen, labelled, "'Utricularia intermedia'"; references to 'U. minor' and 'U. vulgaris minor'.
Comments regarding the preface to their memoir. Further comments on JH's equations.
Writes of his journey back to Edinburgh, and of his intended wife.
Requests the following 'Orchidaceae' specimens from the Linnean Herbarium when Smith comes to London: 'Orchis tripetaloides', 'Orchis sancta', 'Orchis flava', 'Orchis tipuloides', 'Satyrium aculatum', 'Satyrium pedicellatum', 'Satyrium hians', 'Ophrys cernua', 'Ophrys camtschatea', 'Serapias capensis', 'Limodorum altum', 'Epidendrum amabile', and 'Epidendrum pusillum'. Additionally requests unsettled 'Epidendrum' and 'Arethusa biplumata', [Francis] Buchanan's "two fine 'Epidendra' figured in "Exotic Botany"", and syngenesious plants 'Barnadeisa spinosa', 'Atractylis purpurea', 'Atractylis mexicana', 'Stachelina ilicifolia', 'Perdicium magellanicum', 'Sphaeranthus chinensis', and 'Jungia ferruginea'. Sir Joseph Banks slowly recovering from his attack of gout.
Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: flowering specimen of a 'Juncus' he previously sent to [Dawson] Turner, like 'J. campestris' but half the size, proposes name 'J. nivalis'; 2. an 'Arenaria', sent before and very rare, does not agree that it is 'A. verna'; 3. a 'Draba' he sent last year but raised in a frame so too luxuriant, this one from Ben Lawers, proposes name 'D. hispida'; 4. an 'Eriophorum' possibly 'E. scheuchzeri'; 5. a 'Cochlearea', different from 'C. greenlandica'.
As Smith is drawing towards the end of "English botany" suggests he overhauls his previous specimens as Smith will find many has has not taken notice of, especially 'Carex silina' and 'C. saxatilis'. Also encloses specimens of 'Juncus' and 'Fussilago alpina'.
10 specimens, several are identical.
Since receiving Smith's letter has compared his specimens of 'Pyrola' sent from Sweden by [Olof] Swartz to [Nathaniel] Winch under name of 'Pyrola minor'; they agree, and also agree with 'P. minor' of "Flora Danica", but not with [James] Sowerby's figure; observations. His uncle, [Edward] Robson, hopes to see Smith at Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Relates remarks by Sowerby on discrepancies in "English botany" figure of 'Cypripedium'. Smith can figure 'Belula pendula' as species distinct from 'B. alba'; observations.
Memoir is being printed. Gives some more strange theorems for JH's comments.
Discovered JH was elected fellow. Reports vandalism at Trinity. Asks about [James] Grahame. Reports on Mr. Jephson's treatment of Charles Babbage.
Regarding his memoir: would like to see part of CB's notes.
Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Not necessary to hold a degree for a professorship but fears Smith could not be admitted as he would be unable to sign the declaration to conform to the Church of England.
Observing by last number of "English botany" that Smith is beginning to be short of plants has gleaned his herbarium for plants which he now encloses, listed: 1. 'Gnaphalium' from Skye; 2. 'Senecio lividus' for its habitat, frequent Newcastle; 3. 'Viola grandiflora' of the gardens; 4. 'V. amano' Ben Lawers; 5. female 'Salix arenaria'; 6. 'S. andersoniana'; 7. 'S. rupestris'; 8. 'S. incubacea'; 9. 'S. septentrienalis' L'Héritier; 10. 'S. mysinites'; 11. 'S. rubra'; 12. 'S. mollissima'.
Observations on 'Ribes spicatum'. 'Draba incana' in "English botany" is "ten times too large". Will procure 'Rosa rubella' with flowers and fruit this summer. Will send the packet to Smith via [James] Sowerby; would not have written by post "but to prevent it laying six months in his museum".
Warmed by drink and society of 'charming' girls, JH is thinking of Whittaker, and advises him to study less. JH is enjoying reading more than did in school. Sends other news.
Is sending copy of part of the memoir requested by JH. Gives a further theorem for JH's consideration.
Law business is good; JG's intended desires to meet JH.
Smith's candidature for Professorship at Cambridge University. Offers to write to the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge [William Chafy (1779-1843) vice-chancellor 1813 & 1829] in support of Smith's candidature. Warns of impediments: the lecture room has been given up to Dr Clarke, Professor of Mineralogy, and a lack of interest in the subject meant [Richard] Relhan had difficulties making up a class when he lectured on botany. Although has no intention of retiring concedes the possibility of being incapacitated. Discusses other candidates and the university establishment, explains the three components of his position (University Professorship, Walkerian lectureship attached to Botanic Garden, and Regius Professorship) and suggests a course of action: if Smith secures majority support of the Botanic Garden governors then he would resign the lectureship in Smith's favour, strengthening Smith's position for the Regius Professorship at his death.
Numbered observations on enclosed specimens [some extant]: 1. a more mature specimen of the 'Juncus' sent in his last letter; 2. the 'Draba' sent in his last letter, with seeds; 3. the 'Cochlearia' sent in his last letter, with spotted leaves, proposes name 'C. maculata'; 4. a 'Poa' discovered last year; 5. a beautiful dwarf 'Geum' from Clova mountains; 6. 'Lotus alpinus; thinks the 'Eriophorum' sent in his last letter is still distinct; 7. a 'Carex' separate from 'C. caespitosa' and 'C. panacea'; 8. a 'Juncus' distinct from 'J. pilosus' and 'J. forsterii'; 9. possible 'Holcus odoratus' of Linnaeus; 10. a truly beautiful 'Viola', constantly blue; 11. another 'Viola' with crumpled leaves; 12. a new 'Lamium' formerly called 'L. intermedium' but nearer Smith's 'L. palmatum'; 13. another 'Lamium', thinks Smith's 'L. moschatum'; 14. a 'Saxifraga' Smith concluded to be 'S. pedatifida', differences; 15. 'Saxifraga angustifolia' of [James] Donn [(1758-1813), curator of Cambridge Botanic Garden]; 16. a 'Saxifraga' between 'S. granulata'; 17. a 'Saxifraga' near no.15 but smoother and more blanched; 18. very rare and elegant 'Saxifraga'.
Five specimens.
Is sending the first 12 pages of JH's memoir. Is glad to hear that he has material for a further memoir. Gives equations for JH's comments.
No summary available.
Discusses Smith's candidature for Cambridge botany professorship: Sir Joseph [Banks'] illness was a great loss; thinks it curious that the dissenting Smith should be supported by two Bishops [presumably Bishops of Carlisle, Samuel Goodenough, and Ely, Bowyer Sparke (1759-1836); the Bishop of Winchester, Brownlow North, also pledged his support for Smith in August 1813], but concedes "Botany is of no sect"; hopes Smith will be his successor but supposes he would have to conform to the Establishment. Responded immediately to Smith's report of the canvassing but too much of a philsopher to care what happens at Cambridge. Recovered after a confinement of three months caused by typhus.