Asks JH to pay CH's debt to his mother and deduct that amount from next annuity payment to CH.
No summary available.
Has been ill since 13 November. Unsurprised by manoeuvres of [William] Cobbett's [(1763-1835), political writer and farmer] inflaming "the passions of the ignorant" at a meeting held in York, believes the argument about the composition of the consitution too finely drawn for the "lower orders". Glad that Smith has ordered the 'Umbellatae', a class he has previously been confused by. Has not seen anything of Professor [Christian Friedrich] Schwaegrichen [(1775-1853)] after refusing [Archibald] Menzies request to support him for a Foreign Member of the Linnean Society.
After delay has received a specimen of Mr Maughan's 'Salix livida', gathered near Moffat. Encloses the specimens for Smith, they agree with Swedish plants he has had from [Olof] Swartz and confirmed by Christian Schmidt. Also encloses 'Juncus arcuatus' found in Grampian mountains with [George Arnott Walker] Arnott [(1799-1868)] and [Robert Kaye] Greville of Edinburgh, new to Britain and in [Georg] Wahlenberg's [(1780-1851)] "Flora Lapponica". Has heard from [Dawson] Turner that Smith is progressing well with the "[English] Flora". Five members of his family have suffered from scarlet fever, including himself, describes symptoms. Hopes Smith has not been suffering from the severe winter.
Discusses learned societies: informed by Sir George Staunton of the founding of the Asiatic Society of London; anxious for the prosperity of the Linnean Society, asks if the vice-president, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, and [Robert] Brown communicate with Smith; laments death of Sir Joseph Banks [president of Royal Society] and reserved behaviour of Lord Aberdeen [George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen (1784-1860)], president of Antiquarian Society; requests copy of 1819 Linnean Society list.
Reported in newspaper that [George] Leathes [(1779-1836)] caught a live 'Ampelis garrulus' in his hothouse and is feeding it on grapes, juniper berries, and raisins; Cullum would like to see if it can live on misletoe berries. Just received fifth volume of [John] Latham's "[A general history of] Birds", has subscribed in friendship and knowing of his difficult financial affairs due to his son's imprudence. Asks if Smith knows what plant 'Buchu' is as the leaves of it are being advertised in a pamphlet to treat complaints of the urethra and vesica urinaria [Smith has annotated in pencil that "'Buchu' is the Hottentot name" for 'Diosma'].
Received Macleay's letter of 22 January [1823], pleased to hear of Miss Macleay's recovery. If the Linnean Society cannot afford to publish "Linnean Transactions" then they ought to either refrain, publish on some other plan, or sell their stock at a cheap rate to booksellers abroad or at home. [Francis] Hamilton's papers on "Hortus Malabaricus" are "extremely valuable to real botanists", but if they extend too far they must be delayed, anxious not to "disgust" Hamilton. The "Horticultural Society Transactions" "form a valuable mass of inform[atio]n & entertainment".
As Macleay has said nothing of his successor [as Society Secretary] hopes this means he is relenting in his intention to resign. Believes a voluntary contribution to the Society [to improve funds] would be "nominal" and feels it is his duty to "resist for others". Thanks Macleay for hint respecting Master of Westminster's [Edmund Goodenough [(1785-1845)] copy of "Flora Britannica" but finds his "own materials & observations best - do not think me a growing a coxcomb for this". Has finished one volume [of "English flora"] and hopes to have another finished by the time he comes to London.
Sends some calculations relating to the construction of lenses.
No summary available.
Hopes that letter from Mr. Langton does not mean more trouble. Flood has made 'Complete Prisoners' of residents at Slough. Glad that JH bought good horse. Advice on JH's laundry. Caroline Herschel's finances. Concern for Georg Griesbach's health. Regards from Susan White.
Asks Smith to subscribe to Robert Kaye Greville's "Scottish Cryptogamic Flora", a relation of hers, and exert his influence in getting his botanical friends to also support it.
No summary available.
Has received parcel from N. M. Rothschild. Hopes money for the Robert Molyneux clock will soon arrive. Encloses some items for him in Thomas Catton's parcel. Please accept Analytical Geometry. Hopes JL's two volumes on astronomy will be translated into English, and encloses copy of additions.
If either of the designs please him, he will be pleased to advise; otherwise explain in detail what he requires.
Some comments on sun spots based on William Herschel's ideas; considering a collection of William Herschel's writings but publishers not interested.
Regarding errors and discrepancies in the tables of F. W. Bessel. Difficulty of dispatching books to foreign members.
No summary available.
Gratified that JH appreciates the astronomical legacy that she left at Slough. Explains that she returned to Hanover because she felt that 'it would be in vain to struggle any longer against age and infirmity.'
Sending 'Juncus' specimens from his herbarium, delayed by his comparison with the specimens [James] Bicheno sent to Linnean Society accompanying his paper on subject; observations on species.
Events at Cambridge. Has a paper by A. L. Cauchy for him. Has met Humphry Davy and discussed CB's machine. CB is celebrated in verse.
More suggestions for the laboratory, including some experiments.