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From:
Shute Barrington
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
31 Mar 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/20/66, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Returns Smith's manuscript.

Polemic by Smith, "People of England! Beware of Wolves in Sheep's Cloathing!" [extant], refuting attempts by others equating political situation in Britain to that of pre-Revolutionary France, dated November 1792.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Sir James Edward Smith
To:
Thomas Jenkinson Woodward
Date:
9 Feb 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/18/80, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Sends perfect copy of his "Tour" and copies of his "New Holland" work; particularly pleased with his description of 'Billardiera'. Examined 'Fucus confervoides' of Linnaean herbarium and confirms it is 'F. vesuicosus' [William] Hudson and not 'F. albidus', finds no 'F. incurous' Hudson in herbarium. Mr Egerton the only one of [Samuel] Goodenough's pupils to die [from a fever at Goodenough's school]. Visited North Walsham, [Norfolk], to meet botanist Revd Mr Hepworth. Will be in Norwich in June to lecture on botany and zoology for 6 weeks.

Thanks for Woodward's good opinion of his "Tour"; opinion of others including his Windsor friend and Sir Abraham and Lady [Amelia] Hume, despite Sir Abraham being a friend of [Edmund] Burke [(1730-1797), politician] and an "alarmist"; has heard nothing of De Luc's or the Queen's [Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818)] opinion; only criticism received so far is from his "honest but bigotted friend" [Thomas] Marhsam, "a furious friend of the slave trade & an enemy of Dr [Joseph] Priestly [(1733-1804), theologian]", who says he did wrong in mentioning Priestly.

[Letter incomplete: lower two-thirds of second folio cropped, text presumed destroyed]

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Sir James Edward Smith
To:
Richard Pulteney
Date:
15 Feb 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/MS238/14, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Thanks for Pulteney's letter of 30 January [1794]. Happy his work is approved by so "intelligent & candid a judge"; his sentiments in that work have been generally approved, and sells well. Intends to name a genus after Pulteney. Will send more New Holland plants in due course. Has heard nothing of L'Héritier since the war. Glad [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert is so well, the young man with him [Francesco Borone] will say much of Sierra Leone.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Sir James Edward Smith
To:
Thomas Jenkinson Woodward
Date:
3 Mar 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/18/82, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Glad Woodward enjoys "Zoology of New Holland"; he likes it and [George] Shaw "very much". History of the proposed biography of Linnaeus by [Joseph] Trapp, translated from [Dietrich Heinrich] Stoever's German biography; recommending all naturalists to subscribe. Lists new Fellows of the Linnean Society. Communicated information to Stoever for the original biography, particularly narrative of purchase of the collections. His paper on ferns [published by Turin Academy] is expected soon; intends to publish a translation. Sold more than 600 copies of his "Tour".

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Sir James Edward Smith
To:
Edmund Davall
Date:
14 Mar 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/14/67, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Note by Davall letter received 28 March 1794.

Numbered botanical observations on packet of plants received from Davall 10 September [sent 16 August 1793]: 'Eriophorum alpinum', 'Melica ciliata', 'Avena orientalis', 'Saponaria ocymoides', 'Anemone alpina', 'Orchia abortiva', 'Ophrys ovata', 'Carex', 'Carex pauciflora', 'Carex leporina' HL, 'Carex chordorhiza', '[Salix triandra]', 'Lichen rimosus', 'Lichen perlatus', 'Linum flavum', 'Saxifraga mutata' HL. Gave [Samuel] Goodenough all of the 'Carex' specimens [HL probably signifies Herbarium Linnaeus].

Responds to Davall's letter of 13 October 1793: received and distributed seeds; anecdote of Haller's herbarium and fireworks came too late for printing in third volume of his "Sketch of a tour on the continent"; the liquor he uses to protect his plants is the Cajeput oil of 'Melaleuca leucadendron' "a thing not to be had but by chance and seldom pure", camphor also good either alone or dissolved in [spirit vinegar]; currently bathing his insects and moving them to a new cabinet.

Responds to Davall's letter of 6 December 1793: pleased by comments on Haller's herbarium and Davall's opinion of the matter; François [Borone] shortly leaving for Greece with [John] Sibthorp, although he is not permitted to collect his own plants; [Adam] Afzelius shortly returning to Sierra Leone, against his advice; does not pity Davall over the younger Haller's actions and urges him to publish whatever he has finished to avoid becoming like Sibthorp and his "Florae Graecae", although admits himself facing similar difficulties with his "Systema Vegetabilium" and is going on with a "Flora Britannica" in Latin; Este well and living 6 St George's Row, his travels to be published soon.

Responds to Davall's letter of 25 February 1794: condolences on death of Davall's aunt; busy with writing and two courses of lectures and another beginning at Guy's Hospital; his "Tour" meets with "unexpected commendation" and is selling fast, "the political part seems to conciliate most people"; difficulties with [Horace Bénédict] de Saussure's [(1740-1799)] lichens. His health good, Lady Rockingham "grows more whimsical and retired" but has heard nothing of the Duchess of Devonshire or Lady Dowager Spencer. A translation by a "hackney writer" [Joseph Trapp] of [Dietrich Heinrich] Stoever's "Life of Linnaeus" to be published. Offers specimen of 'Ophrys loeselii'.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Sir James Edward Smith
To:
Edmund Davall
Date:
6 Jun 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/14/70, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

His lectures: gave two Germans and an American private courses; is to hold a course on every genus in the Linnaean herbarium, about 50 lectures of an hour each; his usual course of one of zoology and one of botany at home; and one of botany at Guy's hospital; making him very busy but the "profitableness" allows him to let other things give way to it. Spending summer in Norwich with relations from India [the Kinderlseys] and as he has often been asked will give course on zoology and botany at Norwich. Apologises for sending small packet of plants.

Responds to Davall's letter of 14 April 1794: subscibed Davall to [Joseph Trapp's] translation of [Dietrich Heinrich] Stoever's "Life of Linnaeus"; Davall's disorders those of sedentary people; [James] Dickson will communicate full instructions for Davall's proposed greenhouse; flower bud of Botany Bay plant 'Octandria' like an acorn but not the fruit.

Reponds to Davall's letter of 12 May 1794: thanks for [Jacob] Wyttenbach's anecdotes on Haller's collections, will insert them in second edition of his "Tour", if it gets one; general approbation in England for the "Tour" "is very strong" though some think "the politics not courtly enough": De Luc of Windsor thinks him too partial to Rousseau though the majority including the "most loyal & religious like that part of the book, & as to French politics most think I have drawn the line well between liberty & anarchy", it has procured him many new acquaintances and sales very rapid, corrects error in vol 3 p.133 for 'Carex filiformis' read 'capillaris'. Davall should have received second volume of "Linnean Transactions" via Mr de Morsier; 'Lichen saxifragus' correct, 'Lichen ulmi' Swartz is 'L. marmorens' of Dickson's "fasc.". After consultation with [James] Dickson sends account of [Horace Bénédict] de Saussure's [(1740-1799)] lichens [fifth folio] though except for 5 and 8 none of interest. 'Orchis abortiva' specimen not fresh enough for "English Botany", asks if fresher flower spikes could be sent. [James] Sowerby will return Davall's drawings. Sends his paper on ferns and specimens of 'Ophrys loeselii' and 'Malaxis paludosa'. Cannot yet answer Davall's most recent packet though comments that no.1 is not 'Veronica spuria' but probably variety of 'Veronica longifolia', no.2 not different from 'Milium effusum' HL and 'Milium confertum' very different; no.8 must be 'Scilla italica' HL [probably signifies Herbarium Linnaeus].

Current "aspect of politics" very alarming but believes they are safe from insurrection though many think otherwise. His "Tour" being translated into French and Italian, the latter "somewhat castrated". Duchess of Portland [Dorothy Bentinck] died; "we regret her much".

Numbered observations on de Saussure's lichens: 'Scutellis lividis', 'Lichen proboscideus', 'Lichen scaber' [Huds. in pencil], 'Lichen fahlunensis', 'Lichen geographicus', 'Lichen tessellatus' new sp obs, 'Lichen deustus' or 'decussatus' of Villars, 'Lichen pubescens', 'Lichen mesenteriformis' Jacquin "Miscellanea Austriaca" 2 t9 f5, 'L. deustus', 'L. loricatus' new species obs.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Sir James Edward Smith
To:
Richard Pulteney
Date:
12 Jun 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/MS238/15, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Introduces Messrs [Caspar von] Voght and Wattenbach, from Hamburg. Thanks for 'Acidium berberidis'.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Sir James Edward Smith
To:
Edmund Davall
Date:
26 Sep 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/14/72, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Note by Davall letter received 24 October [1794]._x000D_

Lectured in Norwich for three months "to a crowded & admiring audience [...] diffusing a taste for our beloved study". Returned to London to work on "English Botany" before seeing off family in Norwich returning to India [the Kindersleys]. Thanks Davall for packet, glad he likes his "Tour". Requests seeds of the 'Verbascum' and 'Digitalis', latter appears to be that described from Tournefort's oriental herbarium. News of botanists: letter from [Adam] Afzelius in Sierra Leone, François [Borone] in the Archipeligo with [John] Sibthorp, and Broussonet has taken refuge in Spain and is coming to England. Joseph Trapp's translation of "Life of Linnaeus" "odd, amusing, ridiculous, quackish, bombastic, [and] German".

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Sir James Edward Smith
To:
Thomas Woodward
Date:
4 Nov 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/MS410/1, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Thanks for Woodward's letter of 28 October [1794]. Returns his paper [on 'Ulva'] with answers to his queries: the paper worthy of the Linnean Society and its author; generic character good and sees no reason for it to be in Latin; usage of Latin; approves of new 'Ulva' and proposes name 'U. decoricata'. He and [James] Sowerby intend to publish 'Fucus' [in "English botany"] as soon as Woodward tells them a generic character that will remain.

Discusses exchange of coins. Hopes his brother, John, has given up thoughts of going to America. Mrs Sowerby pleased by Mrs Woodward's invitation. Mr De Luc has written that the house at Frogmore, [Berkshire], is in too much disorder for the Queen [Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818)] to study and all such occupations are postponed until next year; intends to go to Windsor some time in the winter "as an amusing experiment to see how the land lies".

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Thomas B Woodman
To:
George Atwood
Date:
9 June 1794
Source of text:
L&P/10/99, Royal Society
Summary:

No summary available.

Contributor:
Royal Society
From:
Thomas Charles Hope
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
19 Sep 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/23/29, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Recently met Smith's German friends [Caspar von] Voght, Wattenbach, and Smeisser; disappointed that the latter has already claimed discovery of new species of earth in the spar from Strontian in two publications; long statement of his own claims to its discovery. Informed that [William] Withering is to publish new edition of his "Botanical arrangement", will supply him with Scottish plants. Need for a new and enlarged edition of "Flora Scotia", now that Lightfoot's is becoming scarce, and [James[ Dickson has enabled a cryptogamic addition. Asks Smith's opinion of [Joseph] Trapp's proposed translation of [Dietrich Heinrich] Stoever's "Life of Linnaeus".

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Thomas Charles Hope
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
Nov 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/23/30, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Encloses copies of a chemical paper he previously alluded to. Thanks Smith for acquitting Schmeisser of the charges he imagined against him [see RelatedMaterial below]. His enjoyment of Smith's "Tour of the continent" and its account of their friend, [William] Younge; thinks Smith may have been more sparing of his "coronal abuse". Notes Smith's entomological studies must be novel to him. Pleased to hear Smith is working on a "Flora Britannica". Asks after English copies of Smith's paper on ferns for Turin Academy. Observed that air effects cause 'Peziza cyathoides' to "discharge its semen".

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Thomas Jenkinson Woodward
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
24 Jan 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/18/79, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Read Smith's "Tour"; never met with a book of the kind "so interesting & entertaining"; agreed with all of Smith's politics and has never seen the liberal passage of vol 3 p.145 [on "power combined with cruelty"] exceeded by any author. Examined punctuation of "Hortus Kewensis" and compared it with "Philosophia botanica", with which it "accurately agrees", but cannot approve it as it is contrary to all other authors and rules of punctuation, and cannot understand for what reason Linnaeus would invert the order of the comma and colon. Requests Sierra Leone coins.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Thomas Jenkinson Woodward
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
[1 Mar 1794]
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/18/81, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Reassures Smith that he reads all of his works. A "moderate person" could not find fault with politics of Smith's "Tour"; surprised at [Thomas] Marsham's violent criticism. Relieved to hear of [Samuel] Goodenough from Smith; their work together on 'Fucus'. Received a proposal for publishing a "Life of Linnaeus", to be dedicated to Linnean Society and written by [Joseph] Trapp; his concerns. Asks Smith to procure Sierra Leone coins from [Adam] Afzelius. Received call from Smith's brother, John.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Thomas Jenkinson Woodward
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
30 Mar 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/18/83, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Reread Smith's "Tour"; his criticisms, intended for use in a second edition. Picks out particular points for praise over two pages, remaining two pages contain corrections, additions, and substitutions.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Thomas Jenkinson Woodward
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
11 Apr 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/18/84, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Smith's "Tour" "highly spoken of" in both the "Analytical Review" and "British Critic Review", the former speaking more advantageously of it, his comment that an attack on [Samuel] Johnson [(1709-1784), writer] and [Edmund] Burke [(1730-1797), politician] would be considered "little short of treason" is true. Requests Smith and [Samuel] Goodenough to examine 'Fucus elongatus' Linnaeus, for their paper on the genus; his own observations. Sent Goodenough probable specimen of 'Fucus corallinus' of "Flora Danica", though he believes it is a variety of 'F. parpucascens'.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Thomas Jenkinson Woodward
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
22 Apr 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/18/85, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Concerned at fate of letters he sent to Smith and [Samuel] Goodenough under direction of [Thomas] Marsham. Received from [Lilly] Wigg [(1749-1828), botanist] a curious new 'Ulva' from the Mediterranean, like 'Fucus lorens'.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Thomas Jenkinson Woodward
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
24 Jun 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/18/86, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Heard that Smith was at [Nicholas Gwyn's] in Ipswich, [Suffolk], before coming to Norwich for his lectures. Glad Smith's lectures are likely to be "handsomely attended". Keen to see [James] Crowe's 'Cerastium'; Smith justly observes it cannot be a hybrid of 'C. aquaticum' and 'Stellaria nemorum'. Unable to send [James] Sowerby 'Trifolium suffocatum' or ['Potamogeton compressus'] again. Sends specimen from Mr Burroughs of Stratton of new 'Vicia' gathered at Alderburgh, [Suffolk], though he thinks it 'V. lutea'; observations. Notes on the 'Ulva' he will bring Smith; wants to reform the genus. Thinks he has 'Mentha exigua' Linnaeus growing in his garden from root of 'M. pulegium' [Smith has annotated "not so JES"].

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Thomas Jenkinson Woodward
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
27 Sep 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/18/87, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Thanks for Smith's permission to consult the Linnaean herbarium in his absence, which he will use to examine 'Fucus' specimens. Reassures Smith he will be too busy for any "gallantry" with the maids, who were not chosen, "as single men's maids sometimes are for their superior beauty". Sends paper he has drawn up on genus 'Ulva', including description of new species 'U. decorticata', for Smith's opinion; notes on its contents.

As Smith now a "great collector of coins" asks him to acquire Sheffield coins from Dr [William] Younge. If Smith's brother goes to America wishes him success; discusses coins from the north of England. Asks after Smith's publications "[Specimen of the botany of ] New Holland", "Spicilegium botanicum", and "Flora Britannica". Asks if he could acquire remaining Bulliard plates ["Histoire des champignons"] through [Edmund] Davall. Asks after specimen of 'Atriplex laciniata'. Mr Windham requests visit from Smith.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London
From:
Thomas Jenkinson Woodward
To:
Sir James Edward Smith
Date:
20 Oct 1794
Source of text:
GB-110/JES/COR/18/88, The Linnean Society of London
Summary:

Thanks for use of Smith's house and library. He and Dr [William] Younge went to Drury Lane and saw "Ladoisha", "the most extraordinary piece of machinery" he ever saw on any stage. Visited [William] Withering in Birmingham; his house and its environs; Withering's precarious health, suffering violent attacks to this lungs and spitting blood; if he survives the winter interested by Dr [Thomas] Beddoes' [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] "aerial process"; coins.

Has left specimen of 'Bromus diandrus' and seeds and specimen of Portuguese grass, since found to be 'Andropogon hirtum', from Withering. Notes from his study of the Linnaean 'Fucus' specimens; made some pencil notes on the different species. Thanks Smith's servants.

Contributor:
The Linnean Society of London