Has dispatched the tourmaline. His chemical experiments. Circulating functions solving chance problems. [Letter postmarked 1819-3-29.]
Has dispatched the tourmaline. His chemical experiments. Circulating functions solving chance problems. [Letter postmarked 1819-3-29.]
Happy to draw up a paper of "Plantae Brasilienses"; does not anticipate it being very difficult, having the Linnaean herbarium, all of Rublet's specimens, and Commerson's; impossible for anyone to do such a work without seeing those specimens. However, his next work must "absolutely be a British Flora in English long promised", so cannot undertake Swainson's work at present, and is also pressed by "Flora Graeca". Believes the 'Graminae' would be the most difficult part.
Encloses specimen of handwriting of Linnaeus. Cannot think of any other person, except [Robert] Brown, "who cannot do half he is engaged in", competent enough to do what Swainson wants, "as it ought to be done".
No summary available.
Introducing her son Henri.
Has returned from Paris. Comments on Lady Smith's "practical defense" of Smith's cause in the Cambridge dispute. Is sending part 10 of [Alexander von] Humboldt and [Aimé Bonpland's] "Nova genera". Wants introductions to [Thomas William] Coke for Mr Williams, an American friend, brother of Samuel Williams of Finsbury Square, "the greatest banker from America in Europe", and Mr Paine, a cousin of Williams. Elected FLS.
Has had some more tourmaline sent. Gives some more equations. Chemical experiments.
Criticism of [James Henry] Monk's [(1784-1856), bishop of Gloucester and Bristol and classical scholar] "Hippolytus" [(1811)]; criticism thereof.
Unable to come to dinner on Saturday but hopes to see him in the evening.
Made apparatus for showing rings between 'two Tourmalines.' JH's process for making hyposulfurous acid. Praises W. H. Wollaston's analysis of CB's 'Tonquinate.'
Regarding the disposal of the tourmaline. Address of his cousin. Drawing and description of the apparatus for experiments on tourmaline. Chemical experiments.
Heard from [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert that Smith intends to reply to Professor Monck [it was thought Monck had written a critical piece on Smith regaring the Cambridge botany professorship in the "Quarterly Review"]. Glad that [Dawson] Turner has completed his "Fucus". Thanks for Mrs Turner's "beautiful" etching of Smith. Sir Joseph Banks' recovered considerably; no longer suffering constipation, no attack of gout for fifty days, and gaining strength, it is accredited to Sir Edward Hume's administering of sixty drops of Colchicum autumnale. Goodenough's daughter, Charlotte, in Coldbeck, Cumberland, ill with typhus fever, which is endemic in that town; she has been treated with an emetic, an opening medicine, and a blister. Fears the medical men adminstering too many lowering medicines, as in the south, when after the first evacuants the patient is kept up with port wine and brandy.
No summary available.
Originally intended to come to London after Easter but his "usual Spring disorder" delayed him; plans to leave on 30 April. Glad to hear "our valuable friend" Sir Joseph Banks "is rallying again". Sending this by Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough], being unaware whether Macleay's "miraculous gift of franking has ceased".
Goodenough's daughter, Charlotte, recovered from her typhus fever.
Informed that it was someone at Oxford, and not [James Henry] Monk [(1784-1856), Cambridge regius professor of Greek], who wrote the critical article on Smith in the "Quarterly Review", but fears Monk's party against Smith is increasing [in his campaign for botany professorship]. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert indignant that the Linnean Dining Club continues to be held at the inferior British Coffee House. Goodenough fears the Horticultural Society comes too close to the Linnean Society and may provoke jealousies [the Horticultural Society hired rooms at the Linnean Society for a time].
Has received papers from J. B. Biot. Has been to the Customs and Excise. Functional equations.
Thanks for Smith's reply to [James Henry] Monk [(1784-1856), Cambridge regius professor of Greek] and Smith's critical reviewer in the "Quarterly Review" although he is now certain it was written by an Oxford man, which would exculpate [George] D'Oyly [?]. Glad Smith's Cambridge pamphlet is written with "such good temper" but thinks Smith exposes himself to attack by minutely going into the particulars of his religion [campaign for botany professorship].
Thanks for Smith's "truly admirable pamphlet", pleased by the mention of her opal but most pleased by the moderate refutation of Smith's detractors, Professor South and the Quarterly Review. Especially pleased with the third chapter and 97th page of the last chapter.
[Letter incomplete: sections cropped, presumed destroyed]
No summary available.
Introduces Michaud.
Thanks for "little publication" sent by Smith, though a defect in his sight prevents him from reading it. Hopes to see Smith soon.