No summary available.
Has sent parcels for Smith and Sir Joseph Banks with Professor [Jöns Jacob] Berzelius, [(1779-1848)], chemist, who is coming to England. Smith's parcel contains: third volume of "Flora Ind. occidentalis"; "transactions" of the Royal Academy of Sciences from 1809 to 1811; his "Synopsis filicum" for either [William Jackson] Hooker or Smith; and six volumes of "Swedish Botany", a gift of the Academy to the Linnean Society. Hopes Hooker received the letter he sent before he left Europe [abandoned plans for travelling to Ceylon with Sir Robert Brownrigg]. Curious to know how far [Robert] Brown's "Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae" has advanced, hopes to establish an exchange with him. Swedish Academy of Sciences, of which he is now the secretary, is keen to have full set of "Linnean Transactions" and the second part of Brown's "Flora". [Erik] Acharius has published his "Lichenographia universalis" and has still not received any thanks for the collection he sent to the Linnean Society.
[Georg] Wahlenberg's recently published "Flora Lapponica" has doubled the number of plants described in Linnaeus' "Flora Lapponica", it includes 30 plates and a large botanico-geographical map. [Alexander von] Humboldt, von Bruhl and W have proceeded on similar principals and plans for their own works. Asks after progress of "Flora Graeca", "English Botany", and [Dawson] Turner's "Historia fucorum".
Still too ill to attend tomorrow's Linnean Society meeting; acknowledges honour of being re-elected President; hopes to attend last meeting of the season on 16 June; his regret at meeting the anniversary meeting for the first time, appoints by letter Samuel Goodenough, Aylmer Bourke Lambert, Thomas Marsham, and William George Maton as vice-presidents.
Thanks Macleay for being so prompt in sending account of the Linnean Society anniversary meeting. His health is improving so much that he hopes soon to come to London, attend the Linnean Society, wait on the Prince Regent [later George IV (1762-1830)], and perhaps finish his lectures. Asks that [Robert] Brown forward the seeds from Paris waiting for him at Sir Joseph Banks'.
No summary available.
Requests Smith send to Wisbech, [Cambridgeshire], the books and drawings left in his custody. Visit Lincolnshire, will return to Wisbech via London.
Reports general concern at Smith's illness at the Linnean dinner. Thanks for seeds, fears he will fail to raise them with his present gardener, asks if Smith knows anyone who will successfully cultivate them. Political news: government still without a complete administration, seems likely it will consist of the old ministers but with some new and able men.
Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: a 'Draba' found on Ben Lawer; 2. a very rare 'Saxifraga'; 3. an 'Arundo'; 4. nondescript 'Meum', proposes name 'M. acherealeucum'; 5. a 'Caltha', proposes name 'C. ficarioides'.
Congratulates JH on having completed examinations; JG will be admitted to the bar soon.
Still too ill to go to London; his current progress; hopes to go to Lowestoft, [Suffolk], in 10 days. Asks Macleay to inform Colonel [Thomas] Hardwicke about Smith's illness. May come to London in the autumn to attend the Prince Regent [later George IV (1762-1830)].
Sends William and Mary Somerville to visit Herschel family. Describes and praises the couple. Hopes observatory at Edinburgh will be completed soon.
Numbered observations on enclosed plants: he has been collecting the indigenous 'Avena' for last 3 years and recently found another addition to the flora along with 'A. planiculmis', describes it and proposes name 'A. poafolia', 'A. pilosa', or 'A. alpina'; 2. a 'Festuca', appears new; 3. another nondescript 'Festuca' resembling 'F. duriuscula', proposes name 'F. repans'; nondescript 'Lamium', proposes name 'L. intermedium'; two 'Hieracium', like 'H. alpinum' but never produce more than one flower.
'Festuca'; another 'Festuca'; a non descript 'Lamium'; two 'Hieraciums'.
Concerned by Smith's illness and abscence from London. [Lewis Weston] Dillwyn [(1778-1855)] apologised for detaining his 'Conferva' drawings. Sir Joseph Banks well and last October increased dose of his gout medicine from 12 to 15 drops daily; it is not proven if it has undermined his constitution. Banks has entire management of the Royal Mint and "pays great attention to it"; Marchant has executed dies for a new 3s & 1/6 pieces; has recommended a coinage of good sixpences to Banks. Drury Lane Theatre proceeding "magically, & will certainly be open early in Oct[obe]r next"; only regret is that the avenues around it "will remain blocked up precisely as they are now".
Sending an equation in calculus for him to give opinion.
Arrived at Rose Castle, [Cumberland], after 5 days "tedious" travel on account of invalids. Has long been wanting to write to Smith about the "variety of portentous matters which have lately engaged all men's minds". His extreme busyness.
"Indefatigable" [George] Don sends Smith "packet after packet of rich stores". Don wants his [Goodenough] opinion on his new 'Avena pubescens' but will submit to Smith instead. All is quiet in this neighbourhood now; the "riots & murders in this part of the world originated in those shameful Parliamentary speeches we have heard of late, and in the intemperate conduct of our Magistrates".
Separate note on identifying features of enclosed specimens.
Three specimens of 'Avena'.
Answer to CB's equation. Bring something to discuss at the forthcoming meeting of the Analytical Society.
No summary available.
Congratulates Smith on the recovery of his health. His own health good except for a weakness in the hip. Forwarded Smith's enclosure to [Harvey] Spragg, thanks to convenience of new daily post.
Thinks that Sole of Bath, [Somerset], was too hasty is declaring 'Agrostis stolonifera' as "black couch" and "the worst grass that grows" in the Wiltshire Agricultural Report, as he [Johnes] is convinced that it will become the "most beneficial discovery that has been made". He was first alerted to it by the "greediness" of his cattle in seeking it out, and hopes to have nearly 100 acres of it next year.
Believes weather here is better than elsewhere; they have only had one very rainy day and are in expectation of a good harvest. Current politics are "disgusting", and expects the Catholics to "be thrown aside" in spite of the "fine promises" made.
Going to the seaside to recruit his strength after a long illness so only able to send half a dozen of Winch's desiderata of rarities; writing to Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] for 'Galium witheringii'. Thanks for the mosses. [Dawson] Turner and [William Jackson] Hooker both well, but like himself have "very little time for correspondence, except of the most urgent kind".
[On recto of second folio] Various lists of plants sent January 1811; July 1812; 26 July 1813; 6 October 1813; "sent to Sowerby", letter sent to Smith 13 May 1813; some notes [in Winch's hand, 3 pp, see RelatedMaterial below].