No summary available.
No summary available.
Following a meeting of [William] Roscoe's "best and staunchest Liverpool friends" they have adopted the plan previously outlined to Smith to secure an annuity for Roscoe; as Roscoe is to visit Holkham [Hall, Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] soon asks that Smith and Coke treat the matter with caution, for reasons Professor Smyth will explain. Roscoe's unselfish nature at this difficult time for him.
Smith has annotated on recto of second folio "sent £50".
Recollections of this house JG has just sold.
Thanks for Smith's letter of 22 September. By Smith's account Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley] "a very much injured man"; recalls how unkind people, including Sir Joseph Banks' and [Thomas] Marsham, were twenty-four years ago [in 1796 Annesley won damages from John Bellenden Gawler (1764-1842), soldier, for committing adultery with his wife]. Agrees it necessary to supporting Sir Humphry Davy for Royal Society presidency, recalls how it suffered in the contest between Banks and [Samuel] Horsley [(1733-1806), bishop of St Asaph].
Does not agree with Smith's disapproval of the proceedings taken against the Queen [Caroline (1768-1821), wife of George IV] and believes that if even a small part of the allegations against her are true it leaves her unsuitable for elevated rank. Thinks Banks' peculiar attitude caused by his extensive travels, observing that travellers in Asia often return "neutralised in their notions of religion" so that Banks', after being interested in such a variety of people, objects, and events, became regardless of any. Would be happy to see "Flora Britannica" finished. The Dean of Carlisle, [Robert] Hodgson, a "zealous botanist". A recently arrived Italian has assured him that Italy is not angry with the Queen for anything except that she should not have engaged with such "a very low fellow as Bergami" [Bartolomeo Bergami, or Pergami, a pretended Milanese baron who became her courier, bodyguard, groom of the bedchamber, and major-domo].
Asks AS to send him plagiedral quartz for experimentation. Unable to commence Cornish expeditions with Charles Babbage. Requests AS discuss publication of their [JH's, George Peacock's, and Babbage's] book with Peacock.
Enclosing letters for second volume [of "A selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus" (1821)]. Discusses their arrangement and page layout.
Thanks JH for news of newly formed Astronomical Society; will be pleased to be a foreign correspondent for it.
Announces his intention to publish his "History of Birds", which he intends to fund by subscription. Requests Smith's assistance. Received letter from Sir Thomas Cullum informing him of Lady [Mary] Cullum's successful cataract operation.
Written on printed prospectus and list of subscribers for "Latham's History of Birds".
Of religious matters, accusations against the Queen, and of Charles Babbage [letter completed 1820-11-4].
Returns proofs; corrections and queries.
Has returned from his holiday. Thanks for the chemical periodicals. Has evolved some new schemes.
Thanks for all the packages. Would like to send copies of the supplement to John Brinkley and Fearon Fallows. Regarding D. F. J. Arago's statement. Method of making a barometer clock. Wishes the president of the R.S.L. was changed every four or five years. Message for W. H. Wollaston from J. B. Biot.
At Smith's request informs him of cost of the new series of "Flora Londinensis"; offers to exchange set of the 18 published numbers, "Musci exotici", and Sternberg's "Saxifrages", for "Flora Graeca". Requests any duplicate exotic specimens from Smith's herbarium. Pleased to see Smith's "Grammar of Botany" announced.