Cannot help him with the Commercium epistolicum [by Pierre Fermat]. Leaving town for a few days. Regarding the kaleidoscope.
Observer for the forthcoming observatory is to be the Plumian Professor. Gives news of other professorships and gives opinion of JH's chances should he apply for any.
Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Sorry that Smith met with opposition from Dr Clarke, professor of mineralogy, and Mr Cummings in trying to rearrange botany lecture room. Refutes Clarke's claims that he only ever gave one lecture on botany. Dr [Richard] Walker [(1679-1764) founder of Cambridge Botanic Garden] intended that the botanical garden should promote study of medicine with particular attention to poisonous plants and Martyn always read lecture on poisonous plants, inspired by Dr [William] Heberden's [(1710-1801) lecturer at Cambridge] Materia Medica lectures, however the medical quarter of garden has since been destroyed.
Sends what he hopes "will lead to a final settlement of this foolish & contemptible business" between [Patrick] Keith [(1769-1840)] and [Thomas Andrew] Knight [Knight was offended by remarks made against him in several publications by Keith, including "Linnean Transactions"].
His lectures begin on Monday for 4 weeks, hopes not to hear anything further of above affair as he has "enough business" of his own, and intends to be at Linnean Society for 5 May [1818].
Received chest of books and letter Smith sent on 6 March. Had hoped to send Smith the last fasciculus of "Eclogae" and "Supplementum Collectaneorum" but prevented by sickness of his father [Nikolaus Jospeh von Jacquin], now sending them with "Synopsis Stapeliarum" in a chest directed to Sir Joseph Banks. In settling their long book account observes the higher price of eighth fasicuclus of "Icones plantarum"; is sending "Supplementum Collectaneorum"; unaware that Smith already had "Oxalis"; a mistake by the bookseller is the reason for Smith not receieving the fourth volume of "Hort. Schöenb.", urges Smith to take the copy at Mr Boydell's. Itemised accounts for Smith and Jacquin. Requests [William] Sole's "Menthae" and Smith's edition of Linnaeus' "Journey to Lapland". Next summer publishing last fasciculus of his father's "Stapeliarum" and continuing publication of "Eclogae" and "Grasses" ["Eclogae graminum rariorum"]. Thanks for "Compendium Florae Britannicae", "a model of a flora as every country should have one". Enquires after "the only perfect copy existing" of ["De Materia Medica"] of Dioscorides [(c 40-90) Greek physician] that Nikolaus von Jacquin lent [John] Sibthorp in Vienna before his first trip to Greece, to be returned after his journey, and whether Smith could claim it at the executors. Explains that the notes in "Eclogae" were written in German to evade Bonaparte's higher import tax on Latin books. Defends the right of German botanists to write in their own language as the French and English do. Received "Flora Graeca". [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia" is in Vienna but has not yet seen a copy.
Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Sorry to hear of the measures the tutors have taken against Smith's proposed lectures. [Several tutors signed a paper addressed to the Vice-Chancellor stating that pupils should not be permitted to attend lectures given by a lecturer who was neither a member of the university nor of the Church of the England].
Encloses two sketches of proposed armorial ensigns, and would be pleased to receive them back with Sir William's preferences.
Unable to lecture at Cambridge University, despite his lectures being announced and generating considerable interest, as several tutors signified they could not permit their pupils to attend lectures of anyone not a member of the University nor the Church of England, and though the reasons were only "pretence" the Vice-Chancellor did not want to cause dissention. A "great body of the Master of Arts" are to present an address in his favour, but shall probably give up the lectures for this year; his eminent friends. Four of the opposing tutors have since repented; outlines opposition and supporters.
Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Outraged by the Tutors opposition to Smith on grounds of his not being a member of the University, gives numerous examples of previous foreign and non-member professors. Glad that Smith is pleased with [George Cornelius] Gorham, details of his botanising. Suffering from vertigo in part due "to the weight of the atmosphere". Flooding from heavy rains.
Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Has found a manuscript copy of Dr [Richard] Walker's [(1679-1764) founder of Cambridge Botanic Garden] donation confirming that the Walkerian lectureship can be granted to a foreigner.
Please send the third volume of J. E. Montucla's Histoire de mathématiques. Is running into difficulties with his history of mathematics owing to lack of translations. Regarding kaleidoscopes. Has been reading David Brewster's experiments on Mother of pearl.
Smith's "rebuff" a "disgrace upon Cambridge" [Smith's failed campaign to be appointed to Botany Chair]. Comments on Lord Spencer, his wife would like to meet Smith.