Sending EC a specimen that W. H. Wollaston describes as 'the most intractable substance by fire' he has ever seen. Discusses its properties and possible chemical composition.
Pleased [Thomas William] Coke is satisfied with the books he bought at sale of his collections, including particularly fine manuscript of the Bible, and the pitcures he bought are the "cream" of the collection; Hargreaves has made a miniature copy of the "Head of Christ" by Leonardo da Vinci. Keen to meet Smith at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Coke]. Congratulates Mr and Mrs Reeve. His daughter, Jane, recovering but still source of anxiety.
[Letter incomplete: first folio cropped, presumed destroyed]
A recent, "most melancholy" family event delayed his response to Smith's letter. Selling the papers of Lord Chief Justice Coke [Sir Edward Coke (1552-1634)] to Thomas William Coke to relieve Coke of any "supposed obligation", even though he is aware that in the library at Holkham "they will be in their proper place"; asks Smith to value them.
In postscript adds that he intends to retain one manuscript from Coke in the office of Earl Marshall, and one printed book, the "Great Nuremerg Chronicle", as they were the property of Lord Coke and unconnected with law.
No summary available.
Frustrated by [Thomas] Marsham's delays in repaying his debts to the Linnean Society; blames those members who pitied and continued to think well of him and thinks Smith correct to call a Council, although uncertain if he can attend himself. Hopes that [Alexander] Macleay will be recompensed following break up of the Transport Board; he has spoken of leaving Queens Square. Bad harvest: the wheat in Cumberland is "very damaged" and none of the flowers in his garden had their usual rich odours, including the carnations, sweet peas, mignonette, but the 'Rosa semperflorens' was not affected by the weather; an example of its thorough hardiness, asks what its natural latitude is.
Hopes there are "no riotous doings" at Norwich, a "pefect system of terror prevails in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire", thinks it a pity that Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire should have been destroyed by Luddites [there were rumours that a fire at the castle was arson]. Isaac Milner [(c 1750-1820), Dean of Carlisle] is going to Cambridge, Goodenough has told him that Smith is the "most scientific naturalist extant" [Smith's campaign for botany professorship]. According to a letter from Ealing Sir Joseph Banks very ill.
[Thomas] Marsham has "behaved very ill towards the Linnean Society"; encloses extract from minutes of Council meeting [extant] on the matter and has informed Marsham of it, warning him not to expect any further indulgence. New edition of [James] Macbride's [(1784-1817), physician, South Carolina] 'Sarracenia' paper came too late as the original had already been partly printed.
Resolution by Council that if Marsham does not pay his two bills due to the Linnean Society by 4 January [1817] they will insist on collateral security for the whole amount, otherwise they will feel themselves obliged to take "the most decisive measures for the immediate recovery of the debt".
Forced to cancel his visit to Smith in Norwich following "sudden and unexpected" death of his father-in-law. Thanks Smith for agreeing to value the eleven volumes of [Sir Edward] Coke's papers [(1552-1634), lawyer, legal writer, and politician, ancestor of Thomas William Coke, to whom he sold the papers]. Pleased to learn from Smith's former letter that [William] Roscoe's prospects have improved [Roscoe was declared bankrupt in 1816], though sorry his library could not be saved.
Regrets not having notified JH of the arrival of the manuscripts. Comments on them and the other papers. An algebra is much wanted. Has been much occupied with college and public business.
Thanks JH for William Herschel's gift. Wishes Horne Tooke had lived to publish third volume. E. D. Clarke's experiment with oxygen-hydrogen fuel mix to blowpipe was anticipated by Americans. Cites 1803 journal from New York.
No summary available.
Account of his seven day journey from Carlisle to London. Glad that the [Thomas] Marsham affair has so far been dealt with without his interference but believes it is necessary to cease shielding Marsham; if the money is not brought forward the Linnean Society's consistency and credit will be ruined. Criticises the Society's habit of holding Council meetings late in the evening. Looking forward to seeing Smith's "Compendium [florae Britannicae]" and final part of "Prodromus florae Graecae". Sir Joseph Banks was very ill but now recovering quickly. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert back in London sooner than anticipated.
Requests directions for sending a parcel of plant specimens from Jacob Bigelow of Boston, [Massachusetts].
Received Smith's letter of 2 November. Disgusted with the treatment he has received from the Court of Directors of the East India Company and the difficulty of getting even the temporary use of the natural history materials he gave them, consequently considering abandoning publication. Shall live in Leny, Stirling, from May. Preparing an account of Assam and Nepal, and a description of the fish of the Ganges. Encourages Smith to make as much use as possible of his Nepalese flora materials. Glad that Smith thinks of publishing a Mantissa, will write to India House if Buchanan's collection there would prove useful. Will use the proceeds of his account of Assam and Nepal to fund the publishing of his account of the fish. Obliged to Smith's offer to assist him with Lord Moira [Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings (1754-1826) 1st Marquess of Hastings, Governor-General of India, 1813-1823] who took 144 drawings of fish, 20 of quadrupeds, 241of birds and 130 of plants, will send copies of the correspondence.
JG announces the death of his daughter Anne, and the publication of his book on population.
Thinks the Linnean Society Council ought to have immediately tried to get security from [Thomas] Marsham for his debts. Pleased to hear Sir Joseph Banks is recovering. Nothing to say regarding Cambridge [his campaign for botany professorship], the heads of houses consulting lawyers about mode of election. Wishes somebody would oblige Sir J G to take the name "Horn", so that he would then be called "Justly Green-Horn" [Sir Justly Watson Green, 2nd baronet (1755-1826)], "totally ignorant & incompetent". Has seen that Macleay's office is abolished.
Hopes Smith received last letter of 21 January 1815, has had no news of him except for [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert mentioning having seen "Eclogae" at Smith's house. Hunnermann has brought the last fasciculus of [Nikolaus von Jacquin's] "Stapeliae" for Sir Joseph Banks and Lambert, hopes Smith will not think he has gone "backward" in the direction of their artists. Has arranged a new method of conveying books to Vienna, assuming the "derangement" of the affairs of Messrs White has prevented Smith from sending his promised books. Uses a copy of the "English Encyclopedia" [Rees' "Cyclopedia" to which Smith contributed botanical articles], wishes that the work's plan allowed Smith to complete the genera with all their species. Sending ninth and tenth fascicules of his "Eclogae" and synopsis of his father's "Stapeliae" soon.