No summary available.
No summary available.
Received Smith's letter of January 1818. Requests Smith's advice and determination on enclosed plants, since Smith is "unanimously considered the prince of botanists and the world's oracle on matters botanical"; has not added any cryptogamic plants, considering it impossible to add anything to Smith's already complete collection, but includes a catalogue of Germany's mosses.
Has sought Robert Brown's "Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae" in vain, and is told the author has suppressed it. Both he and Dr [Carl Bernhard von] Trinius [(1778-1844)], author of "Fundamenta Agrostopraphiae", think Smith's 'Alopecurus alpinus' is interesting; requests specimens.
Repeats his requests for 'Stratiotes' and 'Butomus' for his "Naboths vineyard". Hopes to see the Smiths at Arley Hall in the summer. Pleased that Smith received specimens from [Nathaniel] Wallich, received a packet of seeds himself from Wallich but few have germinated, hopeful of mountain firs. Received seeds and bulbs, including 'Liliaciae', from north-east coast of Australia from his protegé. Has Australian shells for Lady Smith should they visit in the summer, and has installed a roaster in his garden to germinate tropical seeds.
Disappointed in receiving visits from Smith and Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)]; latter's attendence at House of Lords did not produce the peace in Ireland anticipated. Received a box of Australian specimens, now with [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert; half are for Smith. Asks Smith not to trouble himself about the aquatics. His new pit proficient at raising seeds; expects to show Smith new things from Australia, Nepal, and Brazil.
Thanks Lady Smith's brother for the barrel of 'Stratiotes' which are currently growing at "Naboth's vineyard". Anxious to procure 'Butomus' in the proper season. Improvements to his lower pond, has made room for aquatic and bog plants. Received another cargo of specimens from the New Holland [Australia] surveying ships, offers first choice of plants to Smith. Awaiting [Nathaniel] Wallich's promised bulbs but has received others from Trinidad and American seeds from Carr in Philadelphia. Believes he has grown three rhododendruns unknown to the traders from seeds imported by Fraser. Has shells from New Holland for Lady Smith. Hoping to acquire specimens from Madagascar via his brother-in-law, Colonel Macleod.
Suspects [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert of dissimulation over the account he gave Smith of the Australian specimens received and in Lambert's care; more were in flower than stated, has set some aside for Smith. Received many Australian bulbs via his gardener in London; shall send Smith seed of 'Silene'. Anticipates Smith's intended visit next summer; will keep duplicates of Australian shells for Lady [Pleasance] Smith. Received 'Butonuis' from [Alexander] Macleay; requests cuttings of rarer willows. Pleased with his improvements at Nabotts, intends it to be a repository for bog and aquatic plants.
[Letter incomplete: two-thirds of second folio cropped, unclear if any text other than valediction and signature lost]
Requests directions for his New Holland plants for Smith. Visiting his cousin, Sir George Cockburn.
Too busy to visit Smith in Norwich, [Norfolk], as intended. Sending Australian plants specimens; expects another cargo with the next ships. Would be delighted to meet [William] Roscoe.
Cambridge news, GP's own activities, and comments on the progress of the observatory plans.
About plans for the Cambridge observatory.
News from Cambridge, including information about the new observatory.
News of Cambridge University.
About the university politics of filling vacant posts.
Addressed to her "dear cousin". She, her husband [Henry Lloyd Loring (c 1784-1822), first Archdeacon of Calcutta], and their baby are all "quite well". Received a "botanical wonder" from Nepal by [Nathaniel] Wallich, to be forwarded to Smith; transcribes extract from Wallich's letter to her husband describing specimen, 'Eriocoryna nidularis'; Wallich regrets Smith has already used name 'Eriocalia'. Sends compliments to her cousins Smiths, Westons, Martin, and Lloyd. Expects Nat [probably her brother, Nathaniel Kindersley] to arrive in Madras soon.
Thanks for honor conferred by Astronomical Society. Mentions [F. W.] Bessel's paper on the 4th satellite of Saturn. Calculated tables of apparent places of 45 stars, which HS plans to publish annually.
Sends invitation to participate in an astronomical journal. Asks JH to forward letter to [F.] Fallows at the Cape of Good Hope. Mentions [Thomas] Young's plans to travel. Requests that JH forward letters to [W. H.] Wollaston, [John] Brinkley, [David] Brewster, and [Henry] Kater. Encloses announcement of founding of Astronomische Abhandlungen and of Astronomische Nachrichten.
Thanks for forwarding notice on journal to [F.] Fallows. Hopes to use the longitudinal differences of English observations to improve observations.
Honored on being elected Foreign Member of the Astronomical Society of London. Finds that the comet he observed in January had already been seen by J. N. Nicollet and J. L. Pons. Saw the remarkable appearance on the dark part of the moon noticed by Henry Kater. Thinks Kater's theory is wrong. Will soon be bringing out a paper on the moon's volcanoes.
Further eclipse observations from around the world [see HW's 1820-7-30].