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From:
Samuel Goodenough
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
[Dec 1791]
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/11/14, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Saw [John] Lightfoot's herbarium [owned by Queen Charlotte] at Windsor yesterday; confirms that Lightfoot's 'Tomentosa' is Linnaeus' 'Filiformis' and that Smith 's "little incurod 'Carex'" from Mount Cenis is not Lightfoot's 'incuroa', however has not been able to compare. As the Uspal Society is now defunct suggests Smith makes his dedication [of Smith's translation of Linnaeus' "Flora Lapponica"] to the Swedish nation, suggests a possible wording, in Latin.

[Letter possibly incomplete: no signature or valediction]

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Edmund Davall
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
2 Dec 1791
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/14/43, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Suffering from "a perpetual return of obstructions" and "excessive habit of costiveness" which no remedies will remove. Believes he has found 'Lichen confluens' and 'Lichen cinereo-fuscus' Weber, will send for Smith's consideration, and 'Lichen fulgens' Swartz or 'Lichen citrinus' Hedwig. Regrets his "ill treaty" with [Harvey] Spragg and his copy of Dillenius' "Historia Muscorum"; how many copies are buried in public libraries or in private hands whilst many including him "suffer & linger by the privation". His interest in cryptogams; he sent Smith the common '[Lichen] fagineus' for pleasure of it authenticated by Smith, as he is still a novice.

Recently became acquainted with [Horace-Bénédict] de Saussure [(1740-1799)] and gave him roots of 'Geranium phaeum' and 'G. lividum', Swiss plants he had sought in vain, though he is more a lithologist than botanist. De Saussure collected lichens during an expedition on Mont Blanc, an account of which was published July 1788, and intended to send them to [Georg Franz] Hoffmann for identification but Davall persuaded him to send them to Smith instead. Transcribes, in French, part of de Saussure's letter acceptance, in French. Transcribes, in French, letter received from [Carlo] Bellardi with article for Smith.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Mary Watson- Wentworth
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
2/3 Dec 1791
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/15/105, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Watson-Wentworth writes on 2 December: Still waiting for information from [Richard] Salisbury on the servant he recommended to take Crabb's place. Received box of Botany Bay seeds but did not let [Harvey] Spragg take any to show Smith as he should see the whole contents. Sorry to hear of Dr Pictairn' death , she only met him once.

Watson-Wentworth writes on 3 December: Received letter from Salisbury stating that sevrant he recommended does not wish to leave his current position. Found 'Passiflora suberosum' in flower for first time this morning and as she is uncertain whether this is common will send [James] Sowerby a specimen for painting; along with 'Corsiopsis' on vellum will compliment his drawing of 'Catesbaea'. Has not heard from Sowerby regarding dimensions of 'Datura' and fears he does too much at once.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Richard Pulteney
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
4 Dec 1791
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/24/92, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Thanks Smith for sending books, including L'Héritier, encloses bill, clearing his account with Smith; asks after text for Smith's "Spicilegium botanicum" and second part of Gaertner, and price of "Flora cochinchinensis". [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert "greatly enriched" his herbarium by a visit to Lord Bute's garden [John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute (1713-1792)], at High Cliff, Hampshire.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
William Kirby
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
5 Dec 1791
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/6/1, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Thanks Smith for letter and present. Sending a box of insects to [Thomas] Marsham, with duplicates for Smith. Saw [Thomas] Woodward's herbarium and fossil collection and discussed establishment of a local natural history society. Rev Charles Davy [(d 1836)] of Caius College, Cambridge, proposed encouraging study of natural history on national level by having the plan adopted in every county. Asks if [James] Sowerby safely received the 'Hirudines' ['Hirudo'].

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
unknown
To:
Royal Society
Date:
7 December 1791
Source of text:
MM/3/33, Royal Society
Summary:

No summary available.

Contributor:
Royal Society
From:
Sir James Edward Smith
To:
Richard Pulteney
Date:
9 Dec 1791
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/MS238/10, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Thanks for Pulteney's letter of 4 [Dec 1791] and bill. Discusses arrival of remaining prints for first volume of Cavanilles' ["Icones et descriptiones plantarum quae aut sponte in Hispania crescunt"]. Gaertner dead, unclear if his 5 remaining "Centuriae" will be published. Laments death of Dr Pictairn, said that his collection will be sold.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
David Murray
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
13 Dec 1791
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/9/73, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Thanks for letter and pamphlet of Smith's "Introductory Discourse" from the first volume of "Linnean Transactions".

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Joseph Banks
To:
Nevil Maskelyne
Date:
14 December 1791
Source of text:
MM/7/87, Royal Society
Summary:

No summary available.

Contributor:
Royal Society
From:
Mary Watson- Wentworth
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
14 Dec 1791
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/15/106, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Sends letter for [John] White [(1757-1832), surgeon in New South Wales] to be forwarded by Mr Wilson. Nut drawn in Smith's letter is amongst the seeds she received from White in New South Wales; Smith has "a neat way of punishing stingy people by withholding the name" and if it is the same as that brought by Mr Hoye to his house thinks it is unknown.

Repeats questions whether 'Passiflora suberosa' commonly flowers and if it has been painted. Pities Smith and his "little Italian" [François Borone] on their missing dog; her own "little old favourite" has "a most dreadful cough like the distemper". Still looking for a servant to take Crabb's place and asks after Mr Smershall, an apothecary in Portman Street, [London], who has given her a recommendation. Hopes [Richard] Salisbury's sister will recover.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Sir James Edward Smith
To:
Thomas Jenkinson Woodward
Date:
19 Dec 1791
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/18/51, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Thanks for present of game. For his paper on ferns asks Woodward whether he prefers the genus they agreed, 'Asplenium nodosum', not common in gardens, or 'Trichomanes canariense', which is; if Woodward chooses the 'Asplenium' he will name the other 'Davallia', otherwise will call the 'Asplenium' 'Porocarpus'.

Continuing work on his "Tour of the Continent"; has been "very ample" in his account of [Jean Jacques] Rousseau [(1712-1778), philosopher] and had intended to attempt an apology for him until seeing Capel Lofft's [(1751-1824), radical editor and writer] "most eloquent & sufficient" defence of him against [Edmund] Burke [(1730-1797), politician]. Recently received many specimens from Botany Bay; difficulty of settling natural order of some. Second fasciculus of "Icones pictae" printing and last two fasciculus of Dickson's "dried plants" will complete the work. 'Ligusticum cornubiense' figured in next fasciculus of "Icones pictae". Sorry for recurrence of Woodward's old complaint, urges him to come to London for medical advice.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Jane Barrington
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
26 Dec 1791
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/20/57, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Sends drawing of an 'Epidendron' just flowering [Smith annotation: "'Epidendron cochleatum', figured in Jacquin"]; offers to send flower. Also has 'Ophrys latifolia' and 'Hydrangea hortensia' about to flower.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Carl Peter Thunberg
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
28 Dec 1791
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/10/29, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Thanks for "Linnean Transactions", hopes it will long continue, and plants; will try to sell some items from them though botanists few in number here; passed on enclosures to [Johan] Acrel and [Olof] Swartz. Asks after parcels he sent Smith and [Sir Joseph] Banks in May via English surgeon Griffiths. Few copies of Smith's works can be sold in Sweden but requests some copies.

Compared 'Festuca spaducea', identical to 'Anthoxantum paniculatum', with specimen in Burser's "Herbarium" vol 1 p.46; comment on 'Phalaris oryzoides'; attaches drawing of 'Dianthus virgineus' [Smith annotation: "in Herb."] from "Herbarium" vol 11 p.99.

Intends to send his recently published dissertations, and dried plants. Certain that there are plants in his collections from the Cape [of Good Hope] not in Linnaean herbarium, but until his "Flora capensis" is published difficult establish what Smith may require. Intends to send a paper for "Linnean Transactions" vol 2.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Richard Molesworth
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
28 Dec 1791
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/24/30, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Returned Smith's book, with thanks. Offers specimen of 'Andersonia altissima', or 'Nauclea decandra' as [William] Roxburgh calls it. Requests Botany Bay seeds.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Thomas Jenkinson Woodward
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
28 Dec 1791
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/18/52, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Smith's busyness; glad their acquaintance commenced before Smith acquired "the greatest treasure England can boast". Lets Smith decide which genus to rename 'Woodwardia', hopes a 'Dicksonia' will accompany that and 'Davallia'. Anticipating Smith's "Flora Lapponica" and "Icones [pictae]", [James] Dickson's "Fasc[iculus plantarum cryptogamicarum Britanniae]", and [Johann] Schreber's [(1739-1810)] "Genera plantarum". Reports greatly exaggerated of his suffering a severe attack of his disorder shortly after Smith left Norfolk; his symptoms. Hopes [William] Withering is elected to Linnean Society; he and Professor [Thomas] Martyn nominate [Revd Thomas] Zouch, minister of the late Mr Tunstall's parish and highly esteemed by him, and [Revd Charles] Favell; Favell found 'Anagallis foemina' in his parish, will send specimens for [James] Sowerby if desired.

Glad Smith enjoyed the game he sent from [Andrew] Fountaine's, though he has given up shooting; will also send a turkey so Smith can wish them many happy Christmases and prosperous New Years, though it is "out of fashion now". [John] Pitchford has corresponded with [William] Sole on mints, from his letters he seems a "very queer genius"; Sole angry with Smith for having spoken "so slightingly" of [John] Hill's [(1716-1775), botanist] "Vegetable System". Eager to see a good figure of 'Ligusticum cornubiense'.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Sir James Edward Smith
To:
Edmund Davall
Date:
30 Dec 1791
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/14/44, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Note in Davall's hand that this letter was received 13 January 1792.

Acknowledges receipt of Davall's letters of 6 November, with seeds, and 2 December, and parcel of plants via Mr Mandrot. Observations on plants, ordered by Greek letters: 'Trifolium rubens' HL, 'Trifolium pratense' HL, 'Trifolium alpestre' HL, 'Trifolium filforme' HL, 'Astragalus cicer' Linnaeus, 'Serapias palustris' HL, 'Potentilla norvegica' HL, 'Gnaphalium sylvaticum', 'Filago germanica' HL, 'Crepis dioscorides' HL, 'Festuca', 'Cuscuta europaea', 'Veronica hybrida' HL, 'Centaurea paniculata' HL, 'Campanula rhomboidalis', 'Thalictrum lucidum', 'Geranium sanguineum', 'Geranium rotundifolium', 'Lotus maritimus' HL, 'Sisymbrium murale' HL, 'Cheiranthus alpinus' Jacquin, 'Sium latifolium' HL, 'Lychius quadridentata' HL, '[Lychius] alpestris' HL, 'Silene alpestris' "Hortus Kewensis" and Jacquin.

Observations on plants, ordered by Roman letters: '[Arenaria] ciliata', 'Anemone sulphurea', '[Thlaspi] alpestre' HL, 'Erysimum cheiranthoides' HL, 'Lathyrus cicera' HL, 'Lathyrus palustris' HL, 'Orchis palustris' Jacquin, 'Acrostichum ilvense' Hudson, 'Acer opalus', 'Lavatera punctata', and 'Carduus crispus' HL.

Responds to Davall's letter of 6 November: pleased by his approval of first volume of "Linnean Transactions" but thinks his scheme for Linnean Society figuring plants not feasible; has not heard from [Werner de] Lachenal [(1736-1800)] or [Dominique] Villars, and Villars may have heard of his 'Arenaria' from Professor Wiborg at Copenhagen; thanks for seeds, gave most to Fairbairn and some to [William] Aiton [(1731-1793)]; [William] Curtis angry with Smith for helping [James] Sowerby with "English Botany" as he thinks it infringes on his domain, he owes Sowerby £50 and is a "man of very unsound principle, & a bad temper at bottom"; [Edward] Forster sorry Davall is not impressed with the specimens he sent, which he thought very valuable; does not know Davall's lichen 46, and 48 is found in England on Charlton Church and used to be called 'Lichen cretaceus'; will send on "English Botany" and box of lichens.

Responds to Davall's letter of 2 December: distressed by Davall's ill health, essential for him to exercise, asks if fruit is laxative or not for him and whether red port makes him costive; thanks Davall for enabling exchange of lichens with with [Horace Bénédict] de Saussure [(1740-1799)]; will write to [Carlo] Bellardi; wishes to settle about 'Davallia' as what he intended is a 'Trianthema', asks if he would prefer 'Trichomanes canariense' or an Indian genus from his uncoloured icones.

His brother Richard spending the winter in a lodging by himself, "doing nothing, & burying good taste & abilities in mere sloth". Lady Rockingham in good health. Many seeds from Botany Bay lately.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London