| Ref No | GB-110/JES/ADD/54 |
| Title | Thomas Marsham, London, to James Edward Smith, a la croix de fer, Rue St Denis, Paris, [France] |
| Description | Received Smith's letter of 8 [September 1786]. Recovering from a sprained ankle. Gratified by Smith's attention to "the New Society" [Linnean Society], but wishes to continue in the old Society [Society for the Promotion of Natural History] until at least their Anniversary meeting, as he is one of the Presidents until that time; will ensure Smith is not elected one. Unable to see Sir Joseph Banks until November.
Pleased to hear of Smith's intended trip to Italy; laments the loss of his Latin and inability to speak French, hopes to rectify this one day. Received samples of [Thomas] Martyn's projected work on insects ["The English entomologist" (1792)], on which he has offered his assistance; as Martyn is not an entomologist and will not be describing insects it will not affect his own projected work ["Entomologia Britannica" (1802)]. Requests a good print of Linnaeus. Requests any new edition of [Giovanni] Scopoli's work. Would like to see Smith's interview with [Lazzaro] Spallanzani's [(1729-1799), natural historian] following publication of his treatise [Smith's translation of Linnaeus' "A dissertation on the sexes of plantson dispute" (1786)]. Death of [Henry] Smeathman [(1742-1786), explorer and entomologist] of a putrid fever. Requests specimens of English 'Lepidoptera'. |
| Date | 21 Sep 1786 |
| Level | Item |
| Extent | 4 pp |
| Language | English |
| Related Material | Martyn, T, (1792). "The English entomologist, exhibiting all the coleopterous insects found in England...arranged and named according to the Linnean system." London: [privately].
Marsham, T, "Entomologia Britannica", London: White (1802).
Linnaeus, C, and Smith, J E (tr.), (1786). "A dissertation on the sexes of plants. Translated from the Latin of Linnaeus." London: George Nicol for the Author. |
| Notes | Smith replied 2 Feb 1787 |
| PrevRefNo | 75 |
| Finding_Aids | Hutt, C M, "List of additional correspondence of Sir James Edward Smith" Linnean Society. |
| Creator Name | Marsham, Thomas (? 1747-1819) |
| Access_Status | Open |