Humphry Repton, Sustead, [Norfolk], to James Edward Smith, at Mrs Beveridge's, Christ Street, [Edinburgh]

Summary

Snowed in; responding to Smith's letter of 7 September 1782 and account of his visit to the Lakes. Reflections on Edinburgh, effects of winter and snow on the imagination, and snow pancakes. Asks after Smith's medical studies, reflects on tendency for charismatic physicians to be better regarded than those with deep knowledge and recommends Smith to "cultivate these lesser but not less material requisites", the "great school for this kind of learning is the company of ladies". Suggests Smith practice as a physician in this part of Norfolk, which is too far away to be effectively covered by Norwich physicians. Discusses local physicians. Norwich gossip, a pamphlet by Morgan that overleapt "the bounds of decency".

Letter details

Record number

LINNEAN2420

From

Humphry Repton

To

Sir James Edward Smith

Date

23 Jan 1783

Sent from

Sustead, Norfolk

Sent to

Edinburgh

Source of text

GB-110/JES/COR/25/4, 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.

• Humphry Repton
• Sir James Edward Smith