Explaining his new theory of the atmospheres of the sun, planets, and stars.
Explaining his new theory of the atmospheres of the sun, planets, and stars.
Regarding CB's theory of the atmosphere of the sun, planets, and stars.
Parts 3-5 of his 'Icones'; For. Members of the Institut; news.
Congratulates Smith on his knighthood, which his "state of long rustication" had left him ignorant of. Does not agree with rewarding men for personal achievements with hereditary baronetcies, which "should evidently exclude a Richmond Apothecary, & many others". Conveyed [Alexander] Macleay's letter on [William] Travis' [(1771-1851)] case [request to be readmitted to Linnean Society] directly to him to prevent further doubts, having already told him that from the circumstances he had no chance. Questioned his son on his marriage intentions following a letter from Smith.
Does not know 'Chrysanthemum indium'. [James] Lee did not sent the mulberries he requested for pots, he had two on a south wall which bore nothing. His Ribston and Newtown pippins keeping well, as well as his Carlisle codlings raised from cuttings there is no better baking apple.
Complains that a shooting pony he originally paid £10 for has so far cost about £100 in taxes, with an additional £40 should it live another four years.
Talks about the law, especially now that JH has begun his study of it.
Regarding the vacant post of Professor of Chemistry at Cambridge. Has heard that the works of Leonhard Euler are being reprinted. Would he obtain the return of one of CB's books from Mr. Higman.
Thanks Lady Smith for excellent supply of turkeys had throughout the year. His house attacked by rioters [Corn Law riots], describes noble and fearless behaviour of Lady Banks and his sister. Has confirmed that the French medicine is made of 'Colchicum' and that Dr Wilson of Yoxford, Suffolk, is selling it as a patent medicine, 'Colchicum' now given in St George's Hospital for inflammatory rheumatism.
Relates events after being confronted by "an awkward mob with bad intentions" [following an address he made in Norwich in favour of the Corn Law].
Attending E. D. Clarke's mineralogy lectures. JH's analysis of dioptase.
Regarding the vacant professorship of chemistry at Cambridge. Recent chemical experiments. Has obtained the book from Mr. Higman. Mr. Pulling was here recently.
Returns proof sheet with necessary corrections. Glad Macleay's son returned safely from France; deplores the "unexpected return of war & desolation", and thinks it "ought to have been effectually guarded against" [return of Napoleon]; hopes the French can settle it amongst themselves, "for they are no more worth cutting honest men's throats about than the Spaniards"; glad the Duke of Wellington [Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852)] got away safely, expected him to be murdered.
Directions for forwarding seeds sent by [Andre] Thouin. Intends to be in London for 18 April, following a visit to Lowestoft, [Suffolk], on account of his mother-in-law's paralytic stroke.
His work "Les Liliacées".
He and his daughters thank Smith for present of the "two fruit-pieces"; Smith can retain the 'Canna' drawings for the present; sending Smith tracings of [Charles] Plumier's [(1646-1704) botanist] drawings and volume of poems collected by Mrs Riddel, for Lady [Pleasance] Smith.
Shocked by reports of the burning of Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke], until realising impossibility of finding a mob to injure the man "who is the pride of Norfolk", though sorry to hear of the "ignorance & brutality" at Norwich. Expects to see Smith and Coke at Lord [Thomas, 1st Viscount] Anson's [(1769-1818)] this year.
Developments following his encounter with an anti-corn law mob in March. Sorry that Smith's friendly feelings towards him could mark him out to a "deluded populace", and had hoped that the feeling against him would have subsided by this time.
Sending 30 roots each of new or little known Sicilian 'Orchideae', described in [Antonius] Bivona [Bernardi's] "Sicularum plantarum": 'Orchis longibracteata', 'Orchis purpurea', 'Orchis longicornu', 'Orchis acuminata', 'Ophrys tenthredinifera', and 'Ophrys lutea', also added roots of 'Arum tenuifolium'; a proportion being sent to Kew, hopes they will become permanently introduced. Botanists of Sicily "anxiously looking" for second volume of "Prodromus florae graecae"; believes his herbarium may contain species which escaped [John] Sibthorp.
Asks if Smith received the letter and parcel dated 15 May 1814 he sent via Hayne. Encloses the same undetermined plants, for Smith's opinion, in case Smith did not receive them, for inclusion in second volume of "Flora Germanica", asks that Smith reply via [Charles] Konig.
Requests specimens of 'Potamogeton compressus', 'Potamogeton gramineus', and 'Potamogeton lanceolatus', all "English botany", and 'Verbascum virgatum' "Flora Britannica". Also desires specimens of 'Verbascum boerhavii' and 'Verbascum orbeckii' as he has doubts over their classification; observations on characters.
As thanks for Smith's "Introduction to Botany" sending copies of his essay "De Halophytis" and first part of his monograph on 'Verbascum'.
Offering JH the position of assistant tutor at Michaelmas. [Draft from JH declining.]
Has been unable to procure enough signatures to propose [William] Webb as a FLS. Hopes Smith will meet with Webb whilst they are both in London and that Smith can arrange for the certificate to be signed; includes a prepared one with his own signature [second folio of this letter]. Webb is considering taking a vacant parsonage and rectory near Bury but Cullum hopes he will wait for the mastership of his college [Clare Hall, Cambridge].
Promised to send Forster bulbs of 'Tulipa sylvestris' and roots of 'Genista pilosa'. 'Osmunda lunaria' "nearly in perfection".
Received Cullum's letter of 10 May late as he has moved to his cousin Kindersley's house and has since been unable to reach [William] Webb. Will ensure Webb's proposal certificate to become a FLS is signed. Hopes to see Cullum at Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Fears [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert is "rather nervous & restless".
Thanks for Roscoe's letter of 8 April, parcel of [Charles] Plumier [(1646-1704) botanist] drawings and book for Lady [Pleasance] Smith. Staying at his cousins the Kindersleys house; his wife at Lowestoft caring for her invalid parents._x000D_
With [Thomas William] Coke saw a picture of Napoleon being crowned king of Italy, painted at Milan, being sold for £1500. Details his and Coke's plans for their Lancashire visit and possibly Hafod, [Cardiganshire, home of Thomas Johnes]; invites Roscoe to join them. No comment on public affairs as it is all in the papers, excepting that there "still seems a backwardness for war". He is halfway through his lectures, which are well attended by a "very elegant & fashionable audience". Deaths of Dr [Joseph] Brandreth [(1746-1815), physician], and one of Mrs Reeve's sons. His mother thinking of travelling to Liverpool. Pleased that Roscoe is binding some of Coke's manuscripts. Received great encouragement from Bishop of Bristol [William Mansel] regarding Cambridge [his candidature for botany professorship].