Returns paper by Asa Gray [? "Review of Darwin’s theory", Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 29 (1860): 153–84].
Greatly admires Origin.
Can follow effects of natural selection in Carex, but when CD brings millions of years into play, he is like Church which demands faith. FB cannot believe in divinity of Christ, resurrection, or miracles.
Has sent CD the published part of his work on Carex [Illustrations of the genus Carex (1858–67)]. Hopes to add 200 more figures. Comments on great variability among the 600–odd species, and on their geographical distribution.
Has had news from Asa Gray about Civil War.
Belatedly thanks CD for Orchids, which shows CD to be the successor to Gilbert White.
On his particular spiritual faith; worships great naturalists and authors.
Does not wish to see American newspapers that Asa Gray offers to send, or hear about Civil War.
His son wants CD’s opinion about a cub supposed by Frank Buckland to be progeny of a lioness and mastiff.
Lyell working at last proofs [of Antiquity of man]; he is scornful of Owen.
Requests directions for sending a parcel of plant specimens from Jacob Bigelow of Boston, [Massachusetts].
Sending plants from Jacob Bigelow by coach. Introduces himself; brother of the Mr Boott who has occasionally transmitted plants to Smith; will be resident in Britain for 2 to 3 years, during which he will devote himself to botany in his free time so as to be useful in this area on return to USA; would like to establish correspondence with interested people though admits Bigelow the most knowledgeable on American flora. He has left the 'Salicorna' and bark at Sir Joseph Banks'.
Brought a "very superior" collection of drawings of fungi by Mrs [Lucy] Hardcastle [(fl 1760s-1830s] to Banks'; believes some are new species.
Apologises for trouble caused by leaving 'Salicorna' bark [sent by Jacob Bigelow] with Sir Joseph Banks. Forwards pamphlets from Bigelow, who has been elected Rumford Professor at Harvard College; Bigelow's annual course of lectures will be on connections between arts and sciences. Suggests Bigelow's election to Linnean Society; his attributes, including Correa naming him the second best naturalist in America after Muhlenberg
Thanks for Smith's interest in [Jacob] Bigelow joining Linnean Society as FMLS; concerns over the 23 guineas required for his subscription. Examined plants from mountains around Boston, [Massachusetts], with Sir Joseph Banks and [Robert] Brown, notes on their conclusions, including: 'Scirpus bracteatus', 'Epipactis convallarioides', 'Matonia inflata', 'Hylas assyllus', 'Potomogeton tenellum', 'Orchis bracteata', 'Lycopodium lucidulum', and 'Halcus monticula'.
As yet has been unable to examine his plants with any standard herbarium, something he is keen to do to expand USA's natural history, understands [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert has Pursh's herbarium.
Death of his father necessitates his return home [to USA]. Sends plants. Seeks admission to Linnean Society; expects to be able to dedicate himself more to science on his return to England.
Pleased that the plants he sent were of use to Smith. Praises Smith's "Introduction to Botany", "Flora Britannica", "Flora Lapponica", stating that he owes his knowledge of botany to him, offers to contribute to Smith's herbarium every year in appreciation. Thanks for condolences on his father's death, quotes Horace in praise of his father. Will give notice of his forthcoming visit. Encloses specimens and requests six specimens from New Holland [not specified].
No longer able to visit Norwich. Sends Mrs [Lucy] Hardcastle's fungi drawings. Felt his "insignificance" when calling on Sir Joseph Banks and [Robert] Brown and finding both busy; will defer joining the Linnean Society until he has something other than zeal to recommend him; asks for botanical book recommendations.
Thanks for plants; gazed with "admiration & delight upon the New Holland plants"; frustration at not having met Smith. Waiting to for confirmation of [Jacob] Bigelow's finances before proceeding with Bigelow's admission to Linnean Society; deferring his own admission until he returns to Britain. Discusses the Linnean Society of New England: established 2 years ago; Bigelow the "life & soul of it"; its current goal to collect the "natural curiosities" of USA; Judge Davis the president; honour it would receive if Smith became Honorary Member.
Notices that Smith has admitted 'Ornithogalum [distans]' a British plans. Mrs [Lucy] Hardcastle to copy the branched 'Agaric' for Smith; she also copied 'Iris gracilis' for Smith. Observations on a fungus found in Derby Infirmary, transcribes remarks by surgeon on appearance and habitat. Requests sample of handwriting of Sir Joseph Banks.
Ship delayed in sailing [for USA]. Mrs [Lucy] Hardcastle delayed in preparing the drawings she was to send Smith; the parcel will contain dried specimen of a 'Rhizomenpha', on which Dr Forster will write in greater detail. Observations on Cornish plants: 'Ulex europans', 'Viola canina', 'Scalo pendiam', 'Statice arvensis', 'Anthyllis', 'Silene maritima'. Has the parcels for [Jacob] Bigelow and [David] Hosack.
Sends plants from New York and New Hampshire. Brief account of his journey through Nova Scotia to Boston, [Massachusetts]. Arrived back in Britain in August. Has a parcel of plants for Smith from [Jacob] Bigelow; new species of 'Orchis' nearly allied to 'O. fimbriata'; they are to write a "Flora of the Eastern States" together; preparations for the work. Observations on American plants, including: 'Viola parviflora', 'Viola clandestina', 'Claytonia spatulafolius', 'Erythronium', 'Silene'. Requests introduction to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert so as to consult Pursh's herbarium, in Lambert's possession. Assistance received from [Robert] Brown and use of Sir Joseph Banks' library.
Hopes Smith's health is better. Sends parcel of plants from [Jacob] Bigelow. Opinion on a pamphlet on young of snakes. Sent Smith's letter of introduction to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. New Derbyshire habitat for 'Clavaria ardenia'.
Sorry to not have seen Smith yesterday. The general election and debate over arrangements for a visit, including accomodation of his indigestion. Keen for [Jacob] Bigelow to become a member of Linnean Society and a Foreign Member of the Royal Society.
Smith's canvassing for Cambridge professorship. Will shortly visit Smith in Norwich if the Norfolk election is not contested. [Jacob] Bigelow and his possible elections to Royal Society and Linnean Society. A "large serpent" has appeared in the sea "again", although changed enough in appearence for no notice to be taken of the "lumps upon his back" and with a head 14 feet long, relates remarks from Bigelow who compares it to a serpent that appeared off Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Explains how he came to miss Smith the last time he was in London.
Has been reading some of Smith's papers, awed by his industry. Will shortly visit Smith in Norwich before going onto Paris with his brother. Has received a letter from Sir Joseph Banks, who thinks the "snake" is the same as that which visited the coast last autumn.
Directions for various parcels for Smith to forward. Reviews [Jacob] Bigelow's "Medical Botany". Invites Smith to visit on his way to Liverpool. Fears he may have been "very presumptuous" with Lady Smith in "thinking so highly of Byron". Planning to ask Sir Joseph Banks to introduce Bigelow as a Fellow of the Royal Society.