From:
Francis Baily
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[19 March 1821]
Source of text:
RS:HS 3.40
Summary:
Can he give him the address of Capt. W. E. Parry? Should he send a report to Humphry Davy?
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
Can he give him the address of Capt. W. E. Parry? Should he send a report to Humphry Davy?
Sends the first part of his commentary on the "Hortus Malabaricus", if suitable for "Linnean Transactions" will forward the rest. The Wernerian Society in Edinburgh will print a similar commentary on the "Herbarium Amboinense". Arranging the dried plants he brought from India according to the Linnaean method and compiling an index, explains his methodology. Reports the progress of the commentary, having reached 'Hexandria' and already has 900 species. Would like to discuss with Smith what to do with specimen duplicates. Has sent an account of his botanical work in India to the Royal Society of Edinburgh which will form an introduction to his commentaries. Requests berries of the 'Viscum'.
When will JH arrive?
Elected to membership in Astronomical Society. Subjects of annual prize. What is title of [C.] Brioschi's work?
JB was elected associate of Astronomical Society. Asks that Society's annual prize be announced in Jahrbuch. Please insert 'Reclamation' of Francis Baily against Jabbo Oltmanns, relative to the eclipse of [Thales?], into next Ephemeris. Send copies of JB's Ephemeris for T. F. Colby and for Society.
No summary available.
No summary available.
Repeats his requests for 'Stratiotes' and 'Butomus' for his "Naboths vineyard". Hopes to see the Smiths at Arley Hall in the summer. Pleased that Smith received specimens from [Nathaniel] Wallich, received a packet of seeds himself from Wallich but few have germinated, hopeful of mountain firs. Received seeds and bulbs, including 'Liliaciae', from north-east coast of Australia from his protegé. Has Australian shells for Lady Smith should they visit in the summer, and has installed a roaster in his garden to germinate tropical seeds.
Acknowledges that the agreement between his niece and the Brandreths was as complete as possible [apparently for a situation as governess] but was unaware of recent developments; he had been commissioned to find a situation for her and was dissatisfied by "the Paris scheme". Upset by attack on his moral principles [crossed out].
Residing outside London. Will return for balloting of [William?] Bridgman at Thursday's R.S.L. meeting.
Smith "the only orthodox botanist in Europe" and the "Lord-Treasurer of Botany", on account of his possession of the Linnaean collections. Compliments Smith's "Introduction to Botany", which he has translated into German, on allowing him to save the blushes of virgins when explaining the sexual system in his lectures. Bemoans proliferation of "poets" in botany who are either ignorant of the grammar of the science or of Greek and Latin. The struggle to maintain the Linnaean sexual system as the premier natural system in Germany. Asks what happened to the publication of [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia". Discusses his adherence to Linnaean nomenclature. Asks for Smith's assistance in obtaining a Calcutta correspondent.
Would CB breakfast with JH in order to meet members of the Correction Committee.
Elected to membership in Astronomical Society. Thanks for GM's paper on eclipse.
HS was elected associate of Astronomical Society. This year's prize relates to theory of Saturn's satellites. Does HS plan to continue his table of apparent places of fixed stars?
Acknowledges that Miss Smith [Smith's niece] "wholly responsible" for "unhandsome conduct" used towards them; apologises to Smith for letter he sent [disagreement over finding her a situation as a governess].
Collates inconclusive evidence from his nephew, Edward Frankland, when in Dublin, and Duke of Gordon, as to indicators of sex of woodcocks. Two feathers sent by Edward Frankland inclosed [extant].
Two woodcock feathers.
Has finished his index as far as possible. Impatient for further parcel of autograph specimens. Correction for errata of second volume of ["A selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus" (1821)]. Hopes a finished, printed copy can be sent to the Linnean Society for either 17 April or 1 May.
No summary available.
Invitation to dinner.
Receipt for a paper and a box carried between Norwich and London, or vice versa, by Samuel C Marsh, signed by J Elmer [presumably connected to printing and proofs of "A selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus" (1821)].