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.
Working in law office of [F. W.?] Sanders. Attended R.S.L. last night. T. W. Hornbuckle offered JH position as subtutor at St. John's College, but JH declined. Describes paper on minerals that JH submitted through E. D. Clarke to Geological Society. Charles Babbage just made creative mathematical discovery.
Sorry to hear of death of George Don and comments how destructive this winter has been; five of his friends have died in the last three weeks. Encloses an appeal from [Patrick] Neill to raise a subscription for Don's widow and "spine-distorted daughter"; questions the likelihood of his proposal for providing a regular maintenance or whether a temporary relief would be more achievable.
Responds to Smith's enquiries about 'Pinus', referring him to [Andre] Michaux's [(1746-1802)] comments in Pursh's "Flora Americae". A 'Pinus maritima' at Kew now 'Pinus caricio' "Lamarck Encyclo. vol 5". Growing new species of pine at Boyton, [Wiltshire], compares it against 'Pinus cembra' and 'Pinus pinaster', it was sent from the Crimea by [Peter Simon] Pallas and named 'Pinus maritima' in his last "Travels". [Pierre] Sonnerat [(1748-1814)] returned to France. Linnean Society short of papers for next volume of "Linnean Transactions".
Sends 9 more drawings for "Flora Graeca" and 4 drawings to finish present volume of "English botany"; a "melancholy feeling" at finishing that work. Informed by David Booth George Don's death from putrid sore throat; his family left in poverty; has collected money for them; the family wish to sell the plants in his garden before they are dug up, asks for advice from [James] Dickson and the Andersons; Dawson Turner "very bountiful as usual, to this poor family". [William Jackson] Hooker to be married to Turner's eldest daughter [Maria Sarah (1797-1872)].
[Draft of letter in Sowerby's hand]: relates Don's death and plight of family and seeks recommendations for the family to sell the plants.
[Notes in pencil]: sums of money collected by Smith for Mrs Don.
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Thanks for turkey. Had he known would have contributed to Smith's collection for George Don's widow instead of Patrick Neill's. Fears Neill may have endangered a reasonable subscription by aiming to raise enough for a permanent provision for Don's widow.
Many people, including [Amelia Warren] Griffiths [(1768-1858), algologist], [Elizabeth] Hill [(c 1760-1850), algologist], and Miss Hutchins, are complaining that [Dawson] Turner detains Sir Joseph Banks' collection, does not answer queries, or acknowledge or send back specimens. Many also complain that he has not published any numbers [of his "Fucus"] for over a year. Everyone anxious to see the outcome of Buonaparte's invasion of France but are baffled that after losing two armies of 500,000 each he has been allowed to return with a third army; Goodenough thinks Napoleon's case is "unique in the history of man".
Sorry Smith has been so ill, hopes not to hurry him. Will appreciate Smith's advice about "English botany" indexes. Encloses further patterns for "Flora Graeca" and letter from [George] Anderson on plight of late [George] Don's family for Smith and [Dawson] Turner's consideration. Asks to borrow Linnaean specimen of 'Ostrea diluviana' for drawing; thinks a work on Linnaeus' shells "would perhaps answer a good purpose".
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Discusses Smith's campaign for Cambridge botany professorship: unfortunate that Smith has to win over the powerful vice-chancellor, Professor [Isaac] Pennington [(1745-1817), physician and chemist], and Professor [Busick] Harwood [(1750-1814), anatomist], for Dr [Richard] Walker's [(1679-1764)] lectureship. Begs Smith to become a member of the university first to remove obstacles other candidates will take advantage of. In comparison to the expense of the knighthood it would be a minor cost, and as the Linnean Society already has a Duke, Earls, Viscounts, Bishops, and Lords, it is no great favour for the President to have an honorary distinction.
Congratulates JH on the formation of the [Analytical] Society, which will let Britain 'take the lead' in mathematics. Discusses analysis of a radical.
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Thanks for essays JH sent; John Playfair was impressed by them. JG is writing material in favor of a Glasgow/Edinburgh canal.
Has been unable to write after falling in icy weather, injuring his hand and leg and developing gout in the former. Hopes Smith received the oysters. Quantity and quality of members of Linnean Society improving but there is a dearth of papers. Thinks Buonaparte is in his last struggle. Everybody "more than complaining" about Dawson Turner and his poor communications. Asks after fourth volume of "Flora Britannica". Has given his son-in-law Mr Lynn, husband of his daughter, Charlotte, a valuable living.
He has been confined to his house for two months with "debility & headaches", a consequence of influenza. His campaign [for botany professorship] is stationary; the present Cambridge vice-chancellor [John Davie] is not a friend so it is not expedient for [Thomas] Martyn to resign, but believes his interest is working as it is to their own concern to have an active professor. Nothing to be done with his knighthood until he is sure of Cambridge. Delayed in sending papers for Linnean Society meeting.
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Requests permission to dedicate his work on conchology, written to Linnaean principles, to Smith. History of the work; similar works have been prohibited by expense of engravings. Intends to write a work on "General Conchology"; intends to copy all from nature and not engravings. Will show his drawings to the Linnean Society so specific names can be determined, thus avoiding future disputes; asks Smith's opinion and requests terms of admission. Transcribes newspaper advertisement for the first work.
Death of Lady Brownlow [Sophia Brownlow (1788-1814) wife of John Cust, 1st Earl Brownlow, and daughter of Sir Abraham Hume] of a "rheumatick fever". Sir Abraham Hume's reaction. Believes Smith's indisposition a result of "this Siberian winter". Health of various friends including [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, Sir Joseph Banks, and [Samuel Goodenough].
No summary available.