Text Online
From:
Revd Andrew Bloxam
To:
J. S. Henslow
Date:
Undated
Source of text:
Cambridge University Library MS Add. 8176: 164
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Henslow Correspondence Project
No summary available.
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Thanks Balfour for receipt of a package of Scottish plants. Sends a few specimens and asks for a complete list of required plants.
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Sends paper on photospheres to be read to Astronomical Society.
Instructions for constructing index for second volume [of "A selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus" (1821)], should Smith prefer to write it.
Announces new Astronomical Society. Invites WO to become associate.
Congratulates on having obtained position at St. John's. Asks whether Cambridge University Press would publish new edition of Giuseppe Piazzi's star catalog.
JH presented JP's paper on photospheres to Society.
Lady Cullum losing her eyesight to cataracts but Sir William Adams [(1783-1827), oculist] will not operate till she is almost completely blind in both eyes, hopes it can be done by May as warmer summer months not suitable.
Attended Royal Society meeting and dinner; Sir Joseph Banks too ill to attend but [Davies] Gilbert, Mr Raper, Dr [John] Latham, and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert did. Was not aware of Mrs [Catherine] Lambert's "deplorable state" until seeing the muffled rapper on Lambert's door; a letter from Sir George Staunton says she continues in the same way, he has lately bought an estate at Leigh in Hampshire. Received from Copenhagen the continuation of "Flora Danica", observes that "Flora Britannica" and "English Botany" are frequently quoted, along with [Thomas] Velley and late [John] Stackhouse. Congratulates Smith on his appointment to botanical professorship at the Royal Institution. Flattered by Smith's article on 'Cullumia' in [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia" which has been copied by Dr [John] Sims in the "Botanical Magazine". Encloses note for Smith's neighbour, Stevenson [not extant].
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Suffering terribly from a fit of gout but thanks Smith for turkey. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert likes to be asked out as much as possible, as long as Mrs [Catherine] Lambert's name is not mentioned. Lambert delighted with his new assistant, [David] Don [(1799-1841), botanist], son of George Don. Lambert gave a confused account of the "famous large plant of Sumatra" which grows in elephant dung.
Please send instructions as to how he would like the rock crystals cut so that he can pass the instructions on to Wilson Lowry. Is sending two drawings of JH. Has heard from David Brewster that Edinburgh has established a prize like that of Benjamin Thompson (Count Rumford).
Wrote to Lord Sidmouth [Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757-1844), Home Secretary 1812-1822] in support of Smith for Edinburgh professorship and said that success there would end the "distressing contest" at Cambridge [also for the botany professorship], but Sidmouth thinks the appointment will be Scottish. [Robert] Brown reporting he refused the professorship after it was offered to him, Goodenough thinks if this is true then if it is offered to Smith it would secure the election.
Thanks for turkey. Pleased by Smith's improved health; if he continues with moderate daily dose of laundanum he will never be materially affected by diabetes. Concerned that Smith has eaten fruit and vegetables too liberally.
The Edinburgh regius botany professorship is in the gift of [James Graham, 3rd] Duke of Montrose [(1755–1836)] and was given to [Robert] Graham [(1786-1845), professor of botany at Glasgow; doubts that it was offered to [Robert] Brown. Discusses the relationship between the university, the city, and magistrates of Edinburgh, who had proposed Brown. Smith only applied as a curiosity following an invitation of some professors and others. Feeling more and more indifferent about the Cambridge professorship.
Would he please send back some of his papers on astronomy as he wants them in order to draw up a prospectus.
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Investigated vacant Edinburgh botany professorship at Smith's request: the government made its first offer to [Robert] Brown on 18 December [1819], three days after the death of the late professor [Daniel Rutherford]; Brown refused the post and it was given to Dr [Robert] Graham [(1786-1845)]. Satisfaction he and "every well-wisher to the science" would have had if Smith had been appointed; believes it is worth £1000-1200 a year. Glasgow professorship still vacant but not as valuable. Will endeavour to procure Smith's late servant a position.