From:
Joseph Banks
To:
unknown
Date:
20 October 1810
Source of text:
MM/6/71, Royal Society
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Royal Society
No summary available.
Thanks for turkey, the "chief decoration of our Christmas dinner". [Robert] Brown engaged on "Hortus Kewensis". Lady Banks is better, and Banks' gout medicine continues to work, although [Samuel] Goodenough refuses to take it.
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Thanks for supply of turkeys. Mr Brown visiting Smith on the subject of 'Tetradynamie', praises Brown for the work he has achieved on it. Would like [Sir William Jackson] Hooker to inform Banks where to obtain the "Keland[?]" book with a view to a new translator. Dr Wright visiting Banks and informs him the garden in Edinburgh will advance very fast with the new gardener.
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Will always receive those friends Smith recommends to him. Would be glad for the "turkey treaty" to begin again. [Sir William Jackson] Hooker has settled his affairs with respect to his ill-fated voyage to Ceylon. [Robert] Brown and [William Townsend] Aiton working on "Hortus Kewensis".
Merits of small turkeys "over more pompous large ones". His roost robbed but only old birds taken.
Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Anxious for Smith's success in campaign as he believes it would raise "recruits to the study of natural history". Thinks Smith will be successful judging by the conduct of the university in the case of the chemistry professor. Has heard nothing from the vice-chancellor regarding [Arthur] Biggs [(1765-1848)] appointment [as Cambridge Botanic Garden curator], fears he is ineffectual in offering advice to "alma mater".
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At a loss on the subject of Hermodactyls, [an ancient Greek medicine], but is of the opinion that the gout medicine is composed of that root and that Dr Wilson of Yoxford, Suffolk, who has a medicine similar in taste and smell to that of the French, uses 'Colchicum'. Doubts whether 'Colchicum autumnale' is the same as that used in the Greek Pharmacopoeia. Asks Smith whether any of [John] Sibthorp's papers have any information on the Hermodactyl of the Greeks.
Subscribing to [John] Hunt's "British Ornithology". Thanks for renewal of "ancient benefaction of turkeys". [Sir William Jackson] Hooker has been given [Alexander von] Humboldts's collection of mosses on condition of publishing them.
Thanks Lady Smith for turkey. [Sir William Jackson] Hooker has returned from his travels [a nine month tour of Europe] and has [Alexander von] Humboldt's mosses, believes he also collected some novel 'Cryptogams' whilst climbing in the Alps. Was not aware that Smith intended to keep the Linnaean collections together otherwise would not have encouraged Wilkin to make his [unidentified] proposal. Is hopeful that John Hunt's "British Ornithology" will be a useful acquisition to ornithologists. Thinks that Humboldt has made a mistake in his thoughts on the 'Mauritia' palm due to insufficient specimens. [Robert] Brown curious as to the etymology of 'Mauritia'.
Thanks Lady Smith for excellent supply of turkeys had throughout the year. His house attacked by rioters [Corn Law riots], describes noble and fearless behaviour of Lady Banks and his sister. Has confirmed that the French medicine is made of 'Colchicum' and that Dr Wilson of Yoxford, Suffolk, is selling it as a patent medicine, 'Colchicum' now given in St George's Hospital for inflammatory rheumatism.
Has received his paper, which will be laid before the R.S.L. as soon as he has an opportunity. Is obliged to him for compressing the matter to so small a compass.
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