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Davy the most eligible candidate; unaware that [William Hyde] Wollaston [(1766-1828), chemist and physicist] had withdrawn.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".
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.
Would JH send him the chemical formula for converting rags to sugar.
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.
No summary available.
Unable to accept JH's invitation. Will call after returning from Scotland.
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.
Proposed by some of [William] Roscoe's best friends at Liverpool to raise a subscription to buy a £5,000-£6,000 annuity for him in recognition of his contributions to the city; asks Smith to interest [Thomas William] Coke, "the manly supporter and vindicator of all that is liberal in public and private life", in the fund. Roscoe's oppostion to the scheme has been overcome.
Sends concluding proof sheet of first volume [of "A selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus" (1821)]. Discusses composition of preface. He has an abundance of letters ready for the second volume.
Relieved at success of Lady Cullum's cataract operation. Detailed account of his and Lady Smith's tour following death of their mothers: stayed with [Thomas Furly] Forster in Clapton, [Essex], friends in Blackheath, [Kent], and in London near [Archibald] Menzies; dined at Oxford with Dr [George] and Miss Williams, but disappointed to not find any letters from Linneaus to Dillenius; visited Lichfield cathedral and admired [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey's [(1781-1841)] monument to two grandchildren of the present dean; stayed a month in Liverpool, where his lectures were "numerously & brilliantly attended", the botanic garden was in "rich & fine order" with impressive collection of 'Scitamineae' and exotic ferns, 'Nepenthes destillatoria' grown from seed, 'Paris polyphylla' and two new 'Cypripedium' from Nepal, and abundance of hardy plants such as 'Arenaria', [William] Roscoe ardent in his study of 'Scitamineae'; visited Crewe Hall, a perfectly preserved "fine old mansion" of James I's time; visited Mr Tolbett, a great agriculturist, his wife a good botanist; went to Buxton and Bakewell via Leek and visited the Duke of Rutland's uninhabited Haddon Hall; stayed at his brother's Dunston Hall near Chesterfield; visited Sheffield and Dr Young; spent a fortnight at Matlock botanising in the hills; took new road by Derby, Lichfield, and Dudley to Arley near Bewdley to stay with Lord Mountnorris [George Annessley], rich botanic garden and antiquarian collections; stayed near Birmingham; saw Hagley, Kennilworth Castle, Warwick Castle, Amersham, Windsor, and Wick Hall where the Kindersleys are staying for summer; visited Whiteknights for the day "which is well kept, & shown for the benefit of the Duke of Marlborough's creditors" [George Spencer-Churchill]; and stopped by Claremont for Prince Leopold to sign the Linnean Society Charter Book, "he is quite a practical botanist"._x000D_
Received request from [Nathaniel Shirley] Hodson [(fl 1800s-1830s)] to subscribe two guineas for his proposed botanic garden at Bury, asks if Cullum takes an interest. Visiting Holkham soon [Norfolk home of Thomas William Coke].
Suffering from gout in all his limbs and the "various satellites of old age". Enquires after progress of Smith's "British Flora in English". Asks if Smith has seen his "Welsh Botanography", lists recommended pages. Asks Smith to read the Preface and advise on worth of adding the British or Welsh name to each subject in Smith's work, as [Thomas] Johnson [(c 1600-1644) apothecary] attempted in his edition of [John] Gerard's [(1545-1612) barber-surgeon] ["Herball"] and John Davies' [(c 1567-1644) Welsh lexicographer] "Dictionarium Duplex". A new habitat for 'Serapis ensifolia', found in flower, in May, on Snowdon.
Lady Cullum's cataract operation a success: performed in under five minutes with no pain and before the intense heat of June which would have complicated her recovery. Operation took place same day as Sir Joseph Banks' death, 19 June. Observations on possible 'Dianthus virgineus' grown from seed collected on Lake Garda and mentioned in last letter, it is figured in "Botanical Magazine" tab.1740. Thinks [Nathaniel Shirley] Hodson's [(fl 1800s-1830s)] botanic garden at Bury "a romantic scheme" but has subscribed two guineas and though Hodson is unqualified and "quite an amateur of flowers" he has occassionally procured curious and scarce plants.
Prior to operation Lady Cullum's eyes were treated with drops of infusion of leaves of 'Atropa belladonna', some oculists also use 'Datura stramonium' and 'Hyoscyamus'; believes [John] Ray confounded the effects of 'belladonna' and 'datura' in "Syn[opsis methodica stirpium Britannicarum] p.266", though it now turns out both dilate the pupils [Smith has annotated "Ray caused this confusion - compare ed. 2 & 3"]. Did not see [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert before he left London, little hope of Mrs [Catherine] Lambert's recovery. Invites the Smiths to visit Bury in October.
Mary Cullum adds postscript, in her own hand, sending her love to the Smiths.
Sorry they could not meet whilst Smith was in London. Besides themselves, a great many fellows of the Royal Society think the Duke of Somerset should be President, but he has declined to go to a poll, and unless Sir Humphry Davy withdraws as a candidate he will not reconsider.
Apologises for not being able to spend more time with Smith and Lady [Pleasance] Smith during their recent stay in Liverpool. About to move to St James's Mount and unsure what course his life will take but hopes it will be removed from "mercantile speculations or the squabbles & quibbles of lawyers". Comments on remarks made by the Chancellor respecting an incident involving his business troubles and an imminent change in law.
Responds to Smith's letter of from Arley Hall [28 July 1820] and thanks for introduction to Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley], whom he first met in London when they helped establish the African Institution. Comments on the curiousness of Mountnorris' East India 'Scitamineae' drawings of, particularly 'Zingiber'. Reminds Smith of a letter he previously wrote on genus 'Thalia', which is still in need of elucidation. Since Smith's departure 'Hedychium angustifolium' has flowered and 'Hedychium excelsum' is about to, and 'Alpinia mutica' for the first time in Britain. Tormented with rheumatism but intends to visit Norwich before winter.
Pleased Smith had such an agreeable tour. His wife died 19 May; "a bitter affliction" to be separated from his companion of 45 years but considering the complaint in her breast, paralysis of left side, and digestion and appetite gone it was a "desireable blessing".
Attended Horticultural Society anniversary meeting and invited by Sir Joseph Banks to visit Spring Grove [Isleworth, Middlesex]. Bank's successor at Royal Society: not canvassed by any candidate; initially objected to Prince Leopold as he lived too far away to be easily consulted and though convinced by his promises to keep a librarian at Marlborough House, to have dinners and evening meetings, and to dedicate £4000 a year to the Society it is said that enmity from "a certain quarter" has induced Leopold to give up his campaign. In London received ten air plants from his nephew, Commodore Bowles, but neglected them and only three are alive, two are 'Epidendrum cochleatum' and other a 'Tillandsia'; saw many at Leddiges but they have no great beauty. Raised several plants from Buenos Aires, [Argentina], but [James] Lee says they are not new having been collected by [Aimé Jacques Alexandre] Bonpland [(1773-1858)] travelling with [Alexander von] Humboldt.
A "profusion of peaches" and his favourite green fleshed Egyptian melon, which he exhibited at Horticultural Society and were so admired that he is saving seed for members. Immediately looked at 'Hypnum resognitum' in [James] Sowerby, the name a good one from singular circumstance of Smith's "refinding it". Dwarf apple trees 4 feet high with fruit brances supported by stakes, chiefly Hemick codlings and Hawthorn clean.