John Hailstone is about to be married and thus the Woodwardian professorship will become vacant. Would JH be interested? If so, would he let his friends know and then they can rally support.
There is shortly to be a vacancy in the Woodwardian professorship at Cambridge. Would JH like to stand? If so, let him know then he can rally support.
Would like comments on the accompanying paper on functional equations. Stephen Lee [of the R.S.L.] has revived the reading of Isaac Newton in Paris.
Introduces Professor [Edward] Everett [(1794-1865)], Professor of Greek Language at [Harvard University], Cambridge, [Massachusetts].
Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Hopes Smith will lecture whilst visiting Cambridge. Recommends Dr [Martin] Davy as advisor for Smith. Update on Trinity College members' inclinations: Mr Powell intends to run for professorship and although his knowledge of botany is slight, as a former fellow many other fellows have promised their votes to him, however junior fellows more inclined to vote for Smith. Confident that Powell shall not succeed.
Discussion of melons: should not have dismissed Great Mogul before Smith tried it, and read of a fine variety brought from Persia by Sir Gore Ouseley [1st baronet (1770-1844)] but till he tastes it will stick with the Green Egyptian. Will determine whether the plant he sent Smith is 'Sonchus arvensis var' with seeds he saved. Low barometer readings during recent storm: 28.17 on Wedneday at Thirkleby and 27.95 at Gordon Castle, [Moray], their wind "trifling compared to its fury in the South" and no damage to his house built on hill but skylight and tiles on his son's house in Curzon Street, [London], were damaged and trees uprooted in Chesterfield Gardens.
Trying to find plants unattractive to rabbits and hares after having to cradle 'Pyrus japonica' sent by [James] Lee: has not ascertained whether it is true that they only interfere with transplants and not those sown directly; 'Rhododendron ponticum' grown in the wood, box and privet safe but American bird cherry, 'Hippophae', 'Aucuba japonica' and juniper destroyed. Convinced a neighbouring nurseryman to write his labels in the more durable Indian ink. Surprised to receive letter of thanks from Horticultural Society for the Newton pippin apples he sent to [James] Dickson. Intends to search for ferns and mosses by side of Hambleton, [Yorkshire], believes no botanist has been there before.
Gathering evidence on power of crossbills to kill young rooks; Norfolk Eton boys used to speak of them being shot with bolts. Mentions his son's growing interest in natural history, especially geology, and encloses specimen as example [undisclosed]. His health good but Lady Frankland gradually failing from complaint of several years standing from which none have ever recovered, she is frequently attended by Sir Everard Home and Atkinson of York.
Small sketch in ink of plant detail "'Aspidium thelypteris (from Mr Teesdale) confirms you descrip[tio]ns in "English Botany" by the length of lower leaves, very ill figured by [James] Sowerby".
Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Due to illness unable to undertake next term's Walkerian lectures, asks Smith to deputise for him.
Comments on his paper sent previously [see JH's 1818-3-10]. Time has been taken up with mineralogy. Is sending some samples.
Accepts [Patrick] Keith's [(1769-1840)] apology regarding his "Linnean Transactions" paper, though believes Keith took unnecessary trouble to generate "feelings of hostility", and comments on Keith's attempt at justification in his book ["A system of physiological botany" (1816)], in which he blames a "confusion of language". Asks that an explanation be given in the next volume of "Linnean Transactions".
Updates Cullum on his Cambridge progress [campaign for botany professorship]: received a request from Professor [Thomas] Martyn to lecture next term in his place, and the authority to use the botanic garden. The vice-chancellor [George Grenville] and Master of Trinity [William Lort Mansel] approve but Master of St John's [James Wood (1760-1839)] does not, and Dr [Edward Daniel] Clarke [(1769-1822), professor of mineralogy] and Professor [James] Cumming [(1777-1861), professor of chemistry] are being obstructive in admitting him to their lecture rooms. Attended Linnean Society last week. Intends his first lecture to be given in the botanical school.
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No summary available.
Identification of plants in Dioscorides.
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.