Following Smith's statement that he would not object to the Linnean Society paying attention to the fungi, suggests that members be invited to bring drawings to the first autumn meeting.
Compliments.
Queries on 'Thea' for his dissertation on same: asks why Linnaeus' named two species, 'Thea bohea' and 'T. viridis', asks that Smith consult Linnaean specimens.
[Smith has noted his reply of 12 February 1825] Relates his findings following examination of Linnaeus' specimens; confusion caused by the Chinese sending specimens of species of 'Thea' and 'Camelliae' to Europe under guise of different teas; has never been able to find any specific difference between 'T. bohea' and 'T. viridis'.
Encloses remarks he published relative to the Cambridge botany professorship [extant]. Smith will also receive a letter and book from Governor [DeWitt] Clinton.
Newspaper clipping from the "The Statesman", New York: Wednesday evening, June 4 1823: discusses Smith's rejection for Cambridge botany professorship and warns America to "take warning by the example of Europe".
Introduces Charles [Lucien] Bonaparte, [2nd] Prince of [Canino and] Musignano [(1803-1857)], who has been residing in the United States studying natural history. Bonaparte has updated [Alexander] Wilson's ["American Ornithology"] and collected an extensive collection of American insects. Asks that he be made a member of the Linnean Society. Has received third volume of Smith's ["English flora"] including copy for "Lyceum of Natural History".
His son [George William Clinton] who is destined for the medical profession, is enthusiastic in the pursuits of natural history and admires Smith and is sending him some specimens, hints that an acknowledgment would be appreciated. Received Smith's of 26 June. Comments on how much the names of [Thomas William Coke] and Smith are appreciated in his country. [David] Hosack has married "an excellent woman with a splendid fortune".
Small newspaper clipping attached entitled "More Wonders", a humorous piece on natural history curiosities and "gentlemens' corsets".
Received copy of Smith's "Defence of the Church and Universities of England". Currently engaged in an "important Chancery-suit". Offers to show Smith the manuscripts of [John] Stackhouse. Wwriting a commentary on the reminiscences of Charles Butler, including Butler's opinion of Gray. Asks Smith's opinion on the 'Acanthus' of Virgil as described by Barker in the notes of [Charles] Symmons' [(1749-1826), poet and biographer] translation of Virgil. Comments on [Johann Heinrich] Voss's translation of Virgil and effect on opinions of German botanists. Sends two pamphlets, one against Blomfield and Monk, and the other on Greek independence.
Thanks Smith for pamphlet and papers on the Norwich Literary Institution. Offers to lend Smith Savi's 'Observationes in varias Trifoliorum species'. Remarks on Charles Butler [(1750-1832), Roman Catholic layman and lawyer]. Admiration for William Roscoe, desires to get him interested in Greek independence. Thanks Smith for his desire to assist in the Greek cause and suggests the establishment of a committee in Norwich to that end.
Manuscript copies, in Barker's hand, of a circular from a committee in Brighton in support of Greek independence, and of a letter received from William Thornton of Washington, USA, on the same.
Sending a pamphlet. Engaged with W K Brown in promoting a subscription and a Committee in Norfolk for Greek independence, has succeeded in forming a Committee in Suffolk. Comments on varying levels of support received from political figures including [Sir John] Gladstone and [George] Canning. A controversy at Cambridge University between Heads of the Senate and Dr French and Professor Sedgwick. Asks whether an identification as to the language of the foreign words in the appendix to Dioscorides has been made. Remarks on [Johann Gottlob] Schneider's translation of Theophrastus and other works. Working on a translation of Schneider's Greek and German dictionary. Notes Samuel Parr's 77th birthday.
Encloses a paper on Junius [pseudonym of an unknown 18th century letter writer]. Has been collecting information about Dr Samuel Parr, enquires whether Smith or any friends of his have any letters from him or information about him they can share for a memoir to be written by Dr John Johnstone. Barker's index to the "Greek Thesaurus" is far advanced. Mr Bowring has informed him that Jeremy Bentham intends to give him a memoir of Mr Lind, "author of the letters on Poland", for use in his book which is nearly finished.
Sending the remaining papers on Junius [pseudonym of an unknown 18th century letter writer], except the first paper addressed to Charles Butler in which he proved the non-identity of Sir Philip Francis as Junius. Godfrey Higgins will deliver his papers to Lady Francis who he thinks will maintain the claims of her husband. Asks Smith to send him any anonymous compositions of Sir Francis not generally recognised as his should he have any. Believes the memoirs of Sir Francis were written by himself. Has had correspondence with Dr William Thornton of Washington, USA, a ward of [John Coakley] Lettsom. Professor Scholefield intends to give Greek lectures. Remarks on Monk's conduct towards Smith. Pleased that Smith is near completion of 4th volume of "English Flora". Papers on Junius very well received but only privately distributed.
The intelligence Smith sent him is not surprising and wonders at inclination which induced Smith to apply to him, but does not blame Smith for well meant endeavours [subject unclear].
Recalls pleasure at gaining Smith's acquaintance at Cowes, [Isle of Wight], and sorrow at distance which prevents their meeting. Praises Smith's "English Flora" and his use of language, the 'Umbellate' plants "are surely now perfect". Passes on compliment from Mr P Duncan of New College, Oxford, on Smith's "Flora Britannica".
Sending 'Juncus' specimens from his herbarium, delayed by his comparison with the specimens [James] Bicheno sent to Linnean Society accompanying his paper on subject; observations on species.
Discusses the genus 'Rubus': [James] Bicheno, [William] Borrer, and himself have examined Weihe's ["Rubi Germanici" (1822-1827)]; believes he has some of Weihe's specimens, which he offers to send to Smith for investigation.
Recently sent Smith specimens of 'Salix glauca' and four roses, not knowing which he referred to as not a variety of '[Rosa] arvensis'. Does not know Smith's 'R. subglobosa'; thinks others of [Joseph] Woods' [(1776-1864)] varieties may rank as species; thinks he should have united two more of Smith's list, the 'R. woodsii' with 'R. dumetorum', and 'R. canna' with 'R. sarmentacea'. He has found and cultivated 'R. collina'; observations.
Discusses work of himself, [William] Borrer, and [James] Bicheno on 'Rubus', observations on 'Rubus cordifolius' and 'Rubus rhamnifolius'; will send specimens to Smith, named on authority of Merten and Weihe. Also sending plant of 'Campanuta punctata'.
Account of discussion with [Joseph] Sabine on roses.
Wrote to Joseph Woods regarding 'Rosa systala' and his paper on 'Rosa' for "Linnean Transactions", transcribes part of Woods' reply. Woods explains an apparent confusion caused between 'Rosa systala' and [Nicaise Auguste] Desvaux's [(1784-1856) French botanist] 'Rosa stylosa', not having seen Desvaux's "Flore d'Anjou" at the time of his paper.
The work Smith is referring to is third edition of Candolle and Lamarck's "Flore Française" [(1815)]; corrects error in description of 'Rubus glandulosus'; uncertain if Smith's specimen is the same as their common plant; observations.
Pleased with Smith's work on 'Rubus'; observations on genus and species. Pleased that Smith could elucidate 'Potentilla'; obervations on genus and species. Showed the 'Rubus' proof to [James] Bicheno.
Settles accounts with Smith, including from Gurney and [John] Latham. Smith will have to reduce 'Tilia' to three species, as Bicheno has found 'T. grandifolia', 'T. parvifolia', and 'T. europaea' in Stokenchurch Woods, proving duplication of species has occured in other works, including Ray and Dillenius; observations. Discussion of 'Rubus rhamnifolius'; glad Smith found [Robert] Brown "so correct", he has just returned from his trip to Italy "much pleased". [Alexander] Macleay is returned from Caithness with his lame son, fears he will always be a "cripple".
[Note in Bicheno's hand] confirms Forster's account of his discovery of three 'Tilia' species in Stokenchurch Woods.