No summary available.
FB's observations. Happy to become associate of new Astronomical Society. Discusses observations of Halley's Comet by James Bradley and Nathaniel Bliss.
Reports recent eclipse observations around the world.
The Prince de Butera, a Sicilian nobleman, desires to be an honorary member of the Linnean Society. Informed by the Prince of a good botanic garden at Palermo, Sicily, comments on complete disorder of Naples. Has not yet met [Michele] Tenore but he is publishing a "Crambe recota" of indiginous and foreign plants cultivated in his garden. Petayna, [Vincenzo ?] Stellati [(1780-1852)] and [Vincenzo ?] Briganti [(1766-1836)] are the only naturalists of note in his location and nothing is published. Has found 'Ophrys speculum' and 'Ophrys distoma' of Bivona. Recommends a "Flora of Rome" published by Sebastiani and Mauri. Difficulties of establishing botany; part of the garden at Farnesina has been given over for a botanic garden but not the means of putting it in order, when in England even Bury St Edmunds has one. Has collected around 2000 insects, comments on slow progress of entomology and implores [William] Kirby, [William] Spence [(c 1783-1860)], [Thomas] Marsham and McLane to rectify this. Laments death of Sir Joseph Banks. Feels secure "though living in the midst of a revolution" [failed 1820 movement against Bourbon government], comments on the "attention paid to public security".
Arrived in Hereford two days before Dean's death. Lost valuable confidant. Sprained wrist and fingers before leaving Cambridge, but must play for Dean's service.
Had never seen 'Hypnum recognitum' before and thinks it a rarity. Despairs at the Royal Society presidency contest: unsure why Davies Gilbert withdrew after previously indicating he would be willing to devote £10,000 a year to it, suspects his wife; [Edward St Maur, 11th] Duke of Somerset [(1775-1855)] not acceptable to the "valuable part of the Society"; Sir Humphry Davy the most eligible candidate; unaware that [William Hyde] Wollaston [(1766-1828), chemist and physicist] had withdrawn.
Glad that septuagenarians have been excused from the royal divorce case in the House of Lords, but sure that Bishop [Samuel] Horsley [(1733-1806) of St Asaph, Denbighshire] would have called for full attendance of bishops. The Queen's [Caroline (1768-1821), wife of George IV] responses to the addresses, as reported in the press, are "shocking & inflammatory", and agrees with Smith that if she has "rope enough given her, she will do her own business". Surprised to hear of Sir Joseph Banks' £4000 debt to Sir Everard Home [(1756-1832), physician] as Banks' estates are worth £24,500 per annum. Duke of Marlborough [George Spencer-Churchill] and Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington] now the only remaining Honorary Members of Linnean Society. The new Dean of Carlisle [Robert Hodgson] enthusiastic natural historian but fears he will not find a companion as "there is no gain in it".
No summary available.
Recovering from shoulder injury. After leaving Slough, called on Joseph Banks, who died recently.
Has been doing lots of chemical experiments. Gives one of his experiments with prisms. Regarding star observations.
No summary available.
Would JH send him the chemical formula for converting rags to sugar.
No summary available.
Sends seed-spike from what he believes to be an undescribed species of 'Phleum' [extant], grown from seeds from north-east of Poland and adjoining part of Russian Empire. Makes his own observations and states differences from 'Phleum pratense', to which he believes it will "prove superior [...] for agricultural purpose". If it is a new species requests Smith name it in a manner that relates to Knight's name and residence as the farmers whom Knight gives the seeds to will do the same and it is desirable that the "common and botanical name should be somewhat similar", as well as showing "whence and how it came into the country". Convinced by a seedling raised from a fruit stone from Siberia, and shown to Smith, that 'Prunus armeniaca' is a native of Siberia; it also bloomed in the Siberian manner, as soon as the snow disappeared. On verso of second folio Smith has written "Ansd. Phl pratense".
Specimen of 'Phleum' seed-spike.
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Unable to accept JH's invitation. Will call after returning from Scotland.
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Thanks for Regulations of the Astronomical Society. Is honored on being elected a member. Gives details of Theory of the Moon by G. A. Plana; also sends one of his own works, Elementi di trigonometria sferoidica.
It looks as though their projected Cornish excursion will have to be postponed for a time. Gives the formula for the conversion of rags into sugar. A Finnish astronomer wishes to be elected a member of the Astronomical Society. Observations on the theory of parallax.
Intended to write earlier but has been delayed by various causes. Their old friend the Dean of Hereford has just died. Comments on political situation in Sicily. New philosophical society started in Cambridge. Plans also for an observatory there.
Has read of Mr. Annesley's death. Will be staying at Stocks until November and would welcome a visit from JH. His parents are quite well and hopes JH's are as well. Is grateful for his comments on Sicily.