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The Linnean Society of London Collection
The scientific and personal correspondence of James Edward Smith (1759-1828), purchaser of the collections of Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) and founder of the Linnean Society of London in 1788, was presented to the Linnean Society between 1857 and 1872 by his widow Pleasance Smith (1773-1877). Since then, it has been complemented by additional series. The collection was catalogued, conserved, and digitised from 2010 to 2013, thanks to the generous support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Letters can be searched through Ɛpsilon, with links to images and summaries available on the Linnean Society’s Online Collections (http://linnean-online.org/smith_correspondence.html).
Sending two dozen "Russia Tongues". Would like Smith's opinion of [Adam] Afzelius' "Life of Linnaeus" before writing back to him.
After consultation with [James] Bicheno believes that the Linnean Society should continue using bonds to ensure receipt of Linnean Society membership dues over any other security; comparison of notes and bonds; proposes that membership dues are paid a year in advance, on pain of suspended membership.
Encloses newspaper clipping [extant] blaming unusually high number of dead grouse on moors near Thirsk, [Yorkshire], on tapeworm. Was at Buxton at beginning of moor shooting and heard no similar complaint so it must be localised. [Edward Lascelles, 1st Earl of] Harewood [(1740-1820)], who has his moor, gave up shooting early on second day after finding many dead, and Dr Wollaston opened up a bird and found it full of tapeworms. In the past has seen the worm hanging down several inches from grouse on a bird rising. Thirsk surgeon thinks the cause is last summer's heat and drought killing some plant which is usually an antidote.
Newspaper clipping, see above.
Ordered a barrel of oysters for Smith and recovering from gout caused by the cold weather. Praises new volume of "Linnean Transactions": enjoys the publication of whole genus monographs, as with [David] Don's [(1799-1841), botanist] 'Saxifraga' paper, but wishes the Latin had been checked; thinks [Francis Hamilton's] "Commentary on Hortus Malabaricus" will prove very useful to "science at large"; thinks Sir Thomas Raffles' [(1781-1826), founder of Singapore] "descriptive catalogue" needed plates.
The Bishop of Peterborough [Herbert Marsh (1757-1839)] wrote introducing Dr Swaenchen, a German cryptogamist, but he has not called yet. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert overjoyed at his museum being named "Lambertian Museum".
Desires Smith's consent to [Christian Friedrich] Schwägrichen [(1775-1853)] being proposed as FMLS. Lists Schwägrichen's achievements: professor of botany and professor of natural history at Leipzig, formerly held by Hedwig and Leske.
Thanks Smith for assent to [Christian Friedrich] Schwägrichen [(1775-1853)] being proposed as a FMLS. Passes on message from Earl Fitzwilliam [William Fitzwilliam, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam (1748-1833)] that he remembers meeting Smith at Lady Rockingham's.
Received letter from [Georg Heinrich] Noehden proposing Dr [Christian Fridericus] Schwaegrichen [(1775-1853)] as FMLS; forwards nomination certificate for Smith to sign and suggests also forwarding it to [Dawson] Turner.
[Smith has annotated on recto of folio]: "sent certificate to Mr D Turner, Dec. 30 1822".
Thanks for turkey. Refused [Archibald] Menzies solicitation to support for Dr [Christian Friedrich] Schwaegrichen [(1775-1853)] as a Foreign Member of the Linnean Society; [Georg] Noehden's was the only other name. [Thomas William] Coke must be pleased at the birth of his child.