No summary available.

Astronomer Royal's post at Greenwich vacant; hopes JH will try for it. Has not been successful in getting on the Board of Longitude. Hopes to spend a fortnight in Paris after Christmas.

Box of 66 roots [listed at end of letter] and chest of 10 live plants from Nepal and north-west frontiers of Bengal [listed at end of letter] dispatched via Captain James Jackson, commanding the Charles Mills. A similar box of roots sent to Revd H H Norris, Hackney, London, by Bishop of Calcutta [Thomas Middleton (1769-1822)]. The Nepalese plants were collected by [Edward] Gardner [(b 1784), resident at Court of Rajah of Nepal at Katmandu]. Observations on each of the live plants, some in Latin.

Growing plants sent: 'Primula prolifera' Wallich; 'Cypripidium venustum' Wall.; 'Cypripidium insigne' Wall.; 'Lilium napalense' Wall.; 'Chrysobaphys roxburghii' Wall. ('Folium petolatum' Rumph. Amb. VI.93 t.41.f.3); 'Saxifraga ligulata' Wall.; 'Epidendrum procax' (Exot.Bot.II.p.73 t.97. Broughtonia?); 'Convallaria oppositifolia' Wall.; 'Acrostichum flagelliferum' Wall. ('Panna-Mara-Masauasa' Rheed. Mal.XII. 39.t.19); 'Paris polyphylla' Buch. (Sir J E Smith in Rees' "New Cyclopedia" in loco).

Cannot meet CB in London this week. Has verified composition of [hyposulfurous] acid. Encloses crystal of 'sulpho=sulphite of lime.'

Thanks CB for his advice about applying for the post of Astronomer Royal when it becomes vacant, but does not think himself qualified. Will not be able to come to London this weekend. Regarding his new acid.

Urges JH to apply for the Greenwich post. Quotes extract from Thomas Thomson on chemistry. Gives equations for his comments. Has found a new method of producing household gas.

No summary available.

Fifth [1817] edition of Thomas Thomson's System of Chemistry shows previous discovery of JH's 'new acid,' but its reported composition is wrong.

Thanking CB for CB's further remarks on the Greenwich post. Further regarding his new acid.

No summary available.

Sends JM material for inclusion in Mathematical Essays by the Late William Spence, Esq., ed. by JH. [Includes manuscript of final paragraph of JH's Preface to this book.]

Thanks for Smith's reply; recalls being given specimen of 'Oenothera purpurea' soon after its first introduction, and not having the new edition of "Hortus Kewensis" was unable to make out 'Chrysanthemum carinatum' but now uncertain whether it and 'Anthemis mixta' are not the same.

Sir Joseph Banks ill with gout but being treated with Sir [Everard] Home's [(1756-1832)] improved medicine, which anyone may now safely take [presumably Colchicum autumnale]. Lady Banks invited Goodenough to look over [Sarah Sophia] Banks' [(1744-1818)] antiquarian collections for disposal. Goodenough believes the King [George III (1738-1820)] is unaware of the Queen's death [Charlotte (1744-1818)].

[John] Barrow [(1764-1848), promoter of exploration] indignant that the captains of the ships of the polar expedition [to find the North West Passage] turned back just as they were about to make the discoveries for which they were sent out. [Edward] Rudge's candidate at Evesham, Worcestershire, came off "with flying colours", comments on hostility now existing between Rudge and Lord Northwick [John Rushout, 2nd Baron Northwick (1770-1859)]. Goodenough thinks he has a specimen of 'Dianthus arenarius' at Rose Castle. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert completely absorbed by botany and does not mention anything of the failure of his brother-in-law, Mr Benett, in the election.

Remarks on CB's article on analysis and the examples used. Hopes to see him at Christmas; then they can talk about the projected visit to Paris.

Regarding one of JH's papers in the Analytical. P.S. dated 19 Dec.: Is glad to hear he would like to go to Paris.

No summary available.

Hopes CB will visit Slough soon to discuss the proposed trip to Paris. Gives a sketch of his investigations on theorems connected with series.

No summary available.

Will visit him at Christmas. Regarding the theorem quoted by JH [see JH's 1818-12-20].

Observations on 'Lignum cyprinum', following an article in "Linnean Transactions"; has compared it with specimen of the same in [Richard] Pococke's herbarium, in the possession of Baker, and compares it to the 'Liquidamberi arbor' of [Leonard] Plukenet's "Phytographia", identified by [Paul Dietrich] Giseke as the 'Liquidambar styraciflua' of Linnaeus, and 'Acer campestre' from [Caspar] Bauhin's "Prodromus". Offers Smith any information from Pocoke's herbarium if required.

Outline sketch of leaf on verso of second folio.

Negotiations for fixing [William] Roscoe's pictures at the Liverpool Institution have failed and Roscoe is now pressing to auction the collection in London; suggests Smith approaching [Thomas William] Coke about purchasing it to prevent its dispersal. Collection valued at 1,500 guineas, but Roscoe offered it to the Institution for 1,200; lists some of the contents, contains 42-43 pictures.