From:
unknown
To:
Royal Society
Date:
17 October 1799
Source of text:
MM/3/68, Royal Society
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Royal Society
No summary available.
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Thanks Smith for hospitality during visit to Norwich in November. Sends list of queries on genus 'Brownea', for Smith to answer and return.
Sent [John] Davies at Cambridge a bank post bill for £45 of the money collected for [Richard] Relhan's herbarium. Printer of "Linnean Transctions" has no copy to proceed with unless Smith sends his paper on 'Mentha' or Persoon's; current volume about 160 pages; desireable but not necessary for future volumes to be of a similar size.
Asks whether Smith would not prefer to have his note on 'Mentha' printed in "Linnean Transactions" as a separate paper, or with the extracts from the minutes; asks Smith's opinion of his proposed list of books donated to the Library. Subscription for [Richard] Relhan's herbarium is now at £91 10s, including the 3 guineas mentioned in enclosed letter by [John] Symmons [extant]; asks Smith's opinion of the letter; he himself is against applying again to those who have already subscribed.
[Copy of letter from John Symmons to Alexander Macleay, dated Paddington-house, Lonndon, 5 December 1799] After being informed by Revd [John] Davies that the subscription for Relhan's herbarium was lacking £14 of the required £100 he applied to Lord Valentia [George] Annesley and Mr Alderman Hibbert, who have both added an extra guniea each, as he has himself.
His recent visit to Norwich. Stayed with [Dawson] Turner at Yarmouth, Norfolk, noticed that the variety in Mr Downe's garden was much reduced. Saw Mr Reeve and young Mr Reeve at Lowestoft, Suffolk. Also visited Ipswich, Suffolk, and Harwich, Essex. Consulted by Lord Bessborough [Frederick Ponsonby (1758-1844) 3rd Earl of Bessborough] and the Cavendishes as to the "bathing places", recommends Lowestoft and comments on "how tired they grow of all their fine houses!". Enjoyed "The Heir at Law" at the Playhouse but complains of the "scandalous"behaviour in the lobby. Has enjoyed Smith's recommendation of the poet [Albrecht von] Haller [(1708-1777)]. Reminds Smith of their agreement to "keep no letter tally".
Hopes Smith will be able to get the "Flora [Britannica]" out by next spring, as planned. Has been unable to look through the "Greek Botany". Could not find 'Arabis stricta' at St Vincent's Rock, Bristol, but did observe 'Gentiana amarella', 'Geranium sanguineum', and both 'Lichen dioica'. Hopes Smith is able to quash all feuds in the "subscription library". Ireland is currently "perfectly quiet". Confirmed in his suspicions that the "Dutch expedition" would not succeed, "the very idea of forcing a government on a nation is intolerable" [Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland, campaign of 27 August 1799 to 19 November 1799 during the War of the Second Coalition, to promote an uprising by followers of the former stadtholder, William V, against the Batavian government].
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The same as JES/COR/3/54.
Replies to Smith's letter of 9 August 1798. Working on long delayed paper [on cattle]. Spent time in Fifeshire, Perthshire, and Roxburghshire last year, found no new acquisitions but saw 'Oenanthe fistulosa', 'Sison inundatum', 'Pilularia globulifera', 'Convallaria polygonatum', 'Euonymus europaeus', 'Utricularia', roots of 'Serapies longifolia', 'Valeriana diocia'.
"Flora Britannica" much anticipated. Recently received specimens from Lady Ashburton, in Devon, of 'Scilla autumnalis', 'Convolvulus soldanella', 'Colyledon umbil.', 'Crithmum maritimum', and species of 'Geranium'. Natural History Society of Edinburgh recovering from late treasurer, Mr Cunningham's, insolvency and loss of their funds; they have committed all funds and secretaryship to himself. His solitary mode of life. Smith's labours on British grasses will be much appreciated. Thanks for specimens from Smith.
Encloses paper for the Linnean Society [on cattle].
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Thanks Smith for sending mint plants; if number 11 of the mints is easily procured he would like it to complete the set. Hopes the people of Norwich are raising subscriptions for relief of the poor "at this distressing time", as is happening here; his sister and Mr Dixon have set up a soup shop at Henham selling it at 1d a quart. Encloses plates of his 'Peziza [cuticulosa]' [extant] for Smith to send Persoon, will search for specimens.
Plate of 'Peziza cuticulosa'; description and engraving.
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