Aylmer Bourke Lambert to Faraday   26 December 1840¹

Lower Grov St | Dec. 26 / 40

My Dear Sir

I have been endeavouring ever since I received your note to find out the plant which you have done me the honor of submitting to my judgement, I am sorry to say I have not any book relating to cireassiae, but I must think it belongs to the species of saliconium or some species of ferns but in a day or two I hope to be able to give you better information on the subject[.] I have this moment a most interesting visitor from New Zealand a most interesting young man, of twenty four, his natural talent has quite surprised me he is quite a botanist - book in hand in a moment and better versed in quality of woods than any one I have yet met with - he stops here till four; should you receive this in time I think you would be gratified in seeing him - I have another curiosity an universal Sun Dial belonging to La Perouse ² and brought me by Chevalier Dillon ³ who kindly allows me to show my friends for a few days[.]

In haste Yours | Most obediently, having my library full of friends | Signed | A. Bourke Lambert