Sir James Edward Smith, Woodville, near Birmingham, [Warwickshire], to Pleasance Smith, Lowestoft, Suffolk

Summary

He is here "in paradise, both mentally & bodily", staying with Mr and Mrs Corrie; their characters. He lectures on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7pm; fuller every time than the last; plenty of ladies, all in evening dress; supplied with flowers from Mrs Corrie's garden and a nursery. Dined with Dr and Mrs Parr. His health remains good. Visited [James] Watt [(1769-1848), engineer] and saw the "Cyclops" at work in his "truly infernal abode".

Hears of no public disturbances and the "respectable dissenters" take no part; has learnt the true history of the "famous riots" [Priestly Riots of 14 to 17 July 1791 targetted religious dissenters in Birmingham]. Informed that it is "lucky" to have Monk for an enemy [Smith's Cambridge pamphlet]. He is very homesick. Saw [James] Watt's [(1736-1819), engineer] "charming abode".

Letter details

Record number

LINNEAN1559

From

Sir James Edward Smith

To

Pleasance Smith

Date

4 Oct 1819

Sent from

Woodville, Warwickshire

Sent to

Lowestoft, Suffolk

Source of text

GB-110/JES/COR/19/111, The Linnean Society of London

Language

English

Contributor

The Linnean Society of London[View Ɛpsilon collection]

Also published in The Correspondence of Sir James Edward Smith, The Linnean Society's Archive Catalogue.