Showing 1–14 of 14 items
Asks Smith to procure her two or three lemon trees for her conservatory. Hopes to see Smith in London, and in better health than when he and Mr Ives last met.
Informed by his friend Sellackie of Smith's intention of publishing the "Flora Britannica" in English soon ["English Flora"]. Induced to send specimens of the large 'Rhinanthus' described by [John] Ray, which grows plentifully on Stockton Common; its differences from 'Rhinanthus crista-galli'. Found two species of 'Myostis' in this neighbourhood [Yorkshire] agreeing with Hooker's 'M. sylvatica'; offers descriptions and specimens, and Yorkshire habitats for rare plants.
Characters of 'Rhianthus crista-galli' and 'Rhianthus rayi'.
His daughter, [Sophia], married on 5 November. Asks if Smith could include all the "perfect plants" furnished by George Don before closing "English Botany". Realises that cryptogamic research is endless, and has never been examined as closely as now by the likes of Smith, [Dawson] Turner, [William Jackson] Hooker, [William] Borrer, and others, but many are not aware of the precise differences defined by Smith. Believes the Allies' delay in crossing the Rhine and taking Antwerp will allow Buonaparte to escape, as he always does.
Sent Smith his criticism of [William] Roxburgh's 'Scitamineae' paper in "Asiatic Researches" to be presented to Linnean Society, though unsure whether the section on 'Canna' and description of three species of 'Alpinia' in Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley's "Chinese Drawings" should be omitted.
Disgusted at the "arrogance, conceit, & bloodthirstiness" of his countrymen and is withdrawing himself as much as possible from political associations and public affairs. Recently made additions to his library from late Mr Willett's sale.
Encourages JH to come to visit; more about the study of law.
Obliquely, wishes luck and offers advice on exams. Asks for news of Cambridge scandals. Is entering law school. Encloses mathematical formula for which they had earlier searched.
Has had the bill for the printing of their memoir. Ways of raising money to pay for the printing. Comments on one of CB's equations. Will be entering Lincoln's Inn in a week's time.
Regarding the proposed method of raising funds to pay for printing of the memoir. Justifies his equation queried by JH. Would he purchase certain chemicals for him.
Death of George Don, on 14 January [1814], of a putrid sore throat; he has left a widow and 6 children in poverty, 4 of which are incapable of working, and the 2 eldest boys unfit to continue work on Fofar Botanic Garden or sell the plants. Addresses Smith as the "guardian of British Botany" and asks him to suggest means to alleviate the family's distress.
Chemical news: decomposition of 'sulphuret of carbon' by J. J. Berzelius and Alexander Marcet. Analysis of 'azotane' and discovery of 'iode' by Humphry Davy. Congratulations on results of CB's examination.
Is sending chemicals. Regarding Humphry Davy's experiments with azotane. Davy's paper on iodine.
Results of JW's exams. JH's advice in science was too modern to help. Reports local scandals among examiners. Not speaking to James Grahame. Going to 'Babylon' on Tuesday.
No summary available.
Shock at death of George Don, asks that if one of the last plates for Smith's "elegant work" [presumably "English Botany"] is one of Don's discoveries he should be commemorated in it.