Thanks for specimens; some observations. The three specimens from [John] Pitchford are 'Byssus furcata', 'Byssus fubra', and 'Polypodium thelypteris'.
Thanks for specimens; some observations. The three specimens from [John] Pitchford are 'Byssus furcata', 'Byssus fubra', and 'Polypodium thelypteris'.
Thanks for 'Bryum rigidum'. No author on Fungi is "to be depended upon", criticises [William] H[udson (c 1730-1793), botanist] and [John] Lightfoot's works. Studying fungi, received some from [James] Crowe. Smith wrong about 'Elymus arenarius'. An 'Elymus philadelphicus' at Sir Joseph Banks'. Has a specimen of 'Elatine alsinastrum'. An 'Arbutus andrachne' sold at [John] Fothergill's [(1712-1780) physician and plant collector] for 51 guineas was not half as large as one at Chelsea.
Smith's unpleasant journey to Sheffield, does not regret making the journey with him. Warns Smith against placing too much trust in the acquaintance he made in the coach, and not to overload himself with new acquaintances. His return journey. Fanny, [Smith's sister], unwell on his return. News of mutual friends including [John] Pitchford, and [James] Crowe.
Pleased to hear of Smith's successes in Edinburgh; his hopes for him, certain he will "shun the immoral & profane both from taste & principle". Warns Smith against "gaiety" of Lubbock. Discusses Smith's recommendations and practicalities of his education there. Approves of Smith hiring a Latin tutor; importance of Latin and Greek. Benefits gained from study of nature. Glad Smith has so many ladies in his acquaintance but warns him against becoming distracted from his studies.
Smith's sister, Fanny, had a fever but now recovered and Nanny Cullyer, their last nursemaid, is dying from a putrid fever. Glad Smith met Lord Monboddo, usefulness of knowing such people. Reminds Smith not to press his stomach against the table when writing. News of [Thomas] Woodward, and criticisms of Mrs Patterson. Effects of the Dutch War on trade.
Norwich news, including movements of [Thomas] Woodward and [James] Crowe. [John] Lightfoot thinks 'Clathrus flavus' is 'Mucor sphaerocephalus' and calls Woodward's 'Byssus' a 'Helvella polymorpha', it is not in [John] Ray's ["Synopsis methodica"] but is close to a figure in Schaeffer ["Descripto fungorum"]. According to Lightfoot the best collection of fungi is that of [Johann Jacob] Dillenius at Oxford. Crowe found 'Monotropa hypopitys' at Bracon, [Lincolnshire], and received 'Helvella planus' from [Henry] Bryant. Mr Humphrey found 'Agaricus quercinus'.
Confident success of Smith's studies, acquaintances, and friendship with Dr [John] Hope will prevent him from being led astray by "bounders" or the "blandishments of beauty". In terms of medicine he is a "Brownist" and believes in keeping the body "braced" by cold immersions to keep it in health. Warns Smith to be wary of "strict friendships". News of Smith's brothers Richard and Francis. Decided not to re-let the College Farm at end of present lease on account of sadness of Smith being absent from the place he used to cultivate and botanise. Norwich news, including Mrs Patterson. Smith's sister, Esther, has been violently ill with a fever but now slowly recovering. Politics: news of election for sheriff, despair at state of the country. Admires the Scottish for their "zeal for the Protestant Religion" but thinks two sermons at a time "rather too much".
Received Smith's letter [of 31 December 1781]. Presumes Smith is developing his own "manners & carriage" from association with the genteel of Edinburgh. Congratulates Smith on his acquitting himself so well in dancing; they are relieved to hear he is not exhausting himself with study. Glad of Smith's acquaintance with [John Henry] Engelhart and that his other acquaintance [Lubbock] has improved. Norwich news, including recovery of health of Smith's sisters, Esther and Fanny.
Smith's medical and botanical studies in Edinburgh, and lichens. Requests specimens of the 'Fucus' figured in [John] Lightfoot; notes on how to mount them. Requests all possible minerals and fossils, particularly the two kinds of asbestos known as "mountain flax" and "mountain leather"; hopes this task will inspire Smith to form his own collection. Takes up Smith's offer to purchase natural history books for him; happy to receive any book not already in his possession, list of he already own and those he would particularly like to. Seeds from Dr [John] Hope would be "highly acceptable".
Account of his journey occasioned by Tolson's "infamous conduct" [Tolson was apparently James Smith's journeyman]; difficulties of trade. Responds to Smith's letters of 22 January [1782] and 12 February [1782]. Amusements are part of Smith's education. Pleased by Smith's enquiries of his grandfather's last illness; opinions. Mr Matineau recommends Smith become a member of the Medical Society. Usefulness of Latin to compliment Smith's French and Italian.
Delighted at Smith's speaking at Medical Society; encouragement. Dr Martineau thinks it better Smith does not attend apothecary's shop where he intends to settle down and to go to London before taking his degree. Encourages Smith's mixing with genteel society to give him a "polish". His friends all impressed with Smith's letters. His current trade accounts. Hopes change in government and ending of wars with America and Europe will improve conditions. Fears for sugar trade. Norwich news and winter weather. Discusses change of Ministers. Progress of Smith's brother, Richard. Skillful business conduct of Smith's brother. The family's evening conduct. Defends his use of the "out of fashion term", "loving".
Does not think botany is essential to medical education beyond knowing which plants are used in medicine. Botanical discoveries: Sir Joseph Banks and [Daniel] Solander call Smith's 'Lichen miniatus' 'L. deustus'; [James] Crowe and [James] Dickson found 30 new cryptogamic species in Norfolk including two 'Pezizas' and a Jungermannia called 'hypnoides'; [Henry] Bryant found Dillenius' 'Sphaerocephalus terrestris minimus'; [Robert] Stone of Bungay [(d 1829)] discovered 'Hydnum imbricatum' and 'Lycoperdon coliforme'; description of a 'Fungus pulverulentus [...]' Ray "Synopsis methodica" 28.12. Discussion of plants: has not seen 'Lichen pullus' or 'Fucus palmatus'; Crowe's 'Lichen horizaontalis'; mistook 'Lichen parellus' for 'Lichen pertusus'; discoveries of 'Helvella caryophyllaea', 'Lichen miniatus', 'Boletus lucidus'; hopes to send 'Agaricus quercinus', 'Agaricus betulinus', and 'Boletus fomentarius'. Young [Carl] Linnaeus [(1741-1783)] is in London, has stopped his publication plans on account of Banks' 40,000 discoveries [possibly Australian plants].
Sends coloured drawing of 'Lycoperdon coliforme' [extant] from [William] Withering's "Botanical Arrangement", found near Bungay, [Suffolk]; observations with reference to [John] Ray's and [Joseph Pitton de] Tournefort [(1656-1708)] figures and descriptions; differences between 'L. fornicatum' and 'L. stellatum'. Dissatisfaction at [Charles] Bryant's [(d 1799)] forthcoming 'Lycoperdon' monograph [see RelatedMaterial below]. Discusses 'L. pedunculatum' of [William] Hudson with reference to Ray, Tournefort, and [Albrecht von] Haller [(1708-1777)], and 'L. fraxineum', 'L. pisiformis', 'L. nigram', 'L. varialossum', 'L. fuscum', and 'L. epidendum'.
Thanks for the books Smith acquired for him, particularly the "Plantae Capenses"; his own recent sales and acquisitions. Accepts offers of Scottish pebbles and marbles. Recommends [John] Latham's "History of Birds"; comments on vastness of modern discoveries in ornithology. Possible visitors to Smith in Edinburgh. Directions for sending books and specimens of lichens, 'Fucus', and 'Conferveae'.
Drawing of 'Lycoperdon coliforme' [on verso of first folio]
Pleased to hear of recovery in Smith's health and grateful he is inclined towards virtue. Patterson was previously wounded by a gentleman at Colchester who thought him too intimate with his wife, whilst apprentice to a surgeon. Their joy at Smith's Natural History Society. Approves of Smith's proposed Highland expedition. Smith much obliged to his aunt for introducing him to so many respectable friends and acquaintances. Warns Smith to take care of his heart "in the midst of so many agreeable young ladies". [William] Smith unaware of intention of Sheffield families to visit Norwich next year. Unable to visit Smith in Edinburgh this summer on account of business; details of this, including fears of Dutch invasion and his not desiring Smith's brothers to take on military careers. An influenza in London. Uncommonly cold and wet season, with flooded fields, so that people are anxious for grass crops for their cattle. Norwich news. Upturn in political situation.
May accompany Smith on a tour of Cumberland and Westmorland, "there is ever a degree of horror in the grand and majestic prospects of Nature in solitude". Glad both their spirits were better at their recent parting than on their first. Hopes for Smith's future career and success. Account of his journey from Halifax, [Yorkshire], to Norwich, including trip to the theatre, where Frank [Smith's brother] "first saw a Montebank on the stage", disappointed by Lichfield, [Staffordshire], expectations of Birmingham, [Warwickshire] exceeded, ascended [John] Wyclif's [(d.1384), English theologian and reformer] pulpit at Lutterworth, [Leicestershire]. Norwich news.
Leaving London for Paris and is sending various items for Smith to send on to others. 'Lichen ventosus', others will be sent by Mr Dickson. Books for Smith, Professor [John] Hope, [Joseph] Black and Dr Walker, a parcel for Dr Irvine. Asks to be remembered to Dr Hope. 'Portlandia grandiflora' in flower at Kew.
Received Smith's letter of 6 August [1782]. Surprised to find that Dr Walker is a divine and not a physician. They hope Smith will win [John Hope's] Gold Medal [for best Scottish herbarium]. Norwich news. Francis, [Smith's brother], has left with Charles [as cloth journeymen], received letter from Ixworth, [Suffolk]; John, [Smith's brother], does not have same business aptitude. Does not want Smith to become proud or self-important. Mr Cooper is coming to Edinburgh, may call on Smith's assistance. Mr Masham observed that the oak leaves did not appear this year till 44 days later than in 1779.
Introduces Mr Cooper, who has left the Church of England to study physic. Asks if Dr [William] Cullen [(1710-1790), chemist and physician] proposes publishing another volume of his "First Lines [of the Practice of Physic" (1777-1784)]; asks after progress of Ferguson's ["History of the Progress and Termination of the Roman Republic" (1783)] and Dr [William] Robertson's [(1721-1793), historian and Church of Scotland minister] "History of America" [(1777)]. Comments on "savage" Bruno. Norwich news.
Received Smith's letters of 19 and 29 August [1782]. Reiterates comments about Mr Cooper's arrival in Edinburgh; his inattention and incivility. Francis, [Smith's brother], has returned [from journeyman duties], trade has fallen off alarmingly. News of Norfolk friends.
Discusses his figure of 'Lycoperdon coliforme'; would like a specimen of Smith's 'L. fragile'. Describes [James] Dickson's method for preserving fungi. Found 'Hydnum infricatum'; observations, sent specimen of that and 'Agaricus' species to Dickson. Unfavourable season for fungi. Added 'Leonurus cardiaca' and 'Alopecurus ventricosus' to the Norfolk flora. Has a specimen of 'Lysimachia thrysiflora' but would be glad to see the true 'Elymus arenarius'; previously saw [James] Crowe's and [William] Curtis' specimens.
Asks after the mineral specimens Smith offered to procure for him. Has acquired copies of [Sébastien] Vaillant's [(1669-1722)] "Botanicon parisiense" and Phillip Miller's copy of [Pietro Antonio] Micheli's [(1679-1737)] "Nova genera plantarum".
Requests specimens, presumably collected during Smith's northern tour, of 'Juncus spicatus', 'Juncus biglumis', 'Juncus triglumis', 'Gnaphalium supinum', 'Anthericum calyculatum', 'Salix lapponum', 'Polytrichum alpinum', 'Lichen polyphyllos', 'Polypodium rhoeticum', and a fructifying 'Lichen fasciularis', some are marked in pencil with a cross. Has sent a specimen of 'Lichen parellus' that may differ from Smith's. A list of plants he has found in the summer. Turnip crop in Norfolk devastated by black caterpillars, has been unable to find the fly that produces them, but [Eleazar] Albin's "A Natural History of the English Insects" relates how a similar blight in 1719 was caused by the 'Ichneumon' fly, which Bryant disputes. The only flies collected from the turnip fields are possibly the 'Tenthredo rosae', sends two specimens for Smith for information and asks which fly Albin's black caterpillar produces.