Ref NoGB-110/JES/COR/17/143
TitleWilliam Roscoe, Toxteth Park, [near Liverpool, Lancashire], to Sir James Edward Smith, Norwich, [Norfolk]
DescriptionThe severe winter confined him to home. Dissuades Smith from undertaking a cryptogamic flora after conclusion his present work ["English Flora"] on account of the enormous extent, minuteness of research, and Smith's bad eye-sight; believes such a work unworthy of Smith's station and talents.

Unable to finish his description of 'Amomum melegueta' despite use of Smith's observations and article on 'Melegueta' in "Cyclopedia"; will wait for Smith to see his observations and drawing, with Mr Graves, the colourer, at Peckham, [Surrey]. Included 'Cardamom' plant and 'Renealmia/Alpinia exaltata' in his genus 'Matonia'; defends the latter with references to Smith's "Cyclopedia" article, [William] Roxburgh's "Plants of the Coast of Coromandel", and White's "Linnean Transactions" vol 10 paper ['A Botanical Description and Natural History of the Malabar Cardamom']. Disappointed to not join the Smiths at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke].
Date11 Apr 1827
LevelItem
Extent4 pp
LanguageEnglish
Related MaterialSmith, J E, Hooker, W J, and Berkeley, M, (1824-1828). "The English flora", London: Longman.

Rees, A (comp.) et al, (1819-1820). "The cyclopædia, or, universal dictionary of arts, sciences, and literature." London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown.

Roxburgh, W (1795-1821). "Plants of the Coast of Coromandel, selected from drawings and descriptions presented to the ... Company, by William Roxburgh. Published ... under the direction of Sir Joseph Banks ..." London: Nicol.

White, D, 'A Botanical Description and Natural History of the Malabar Cardamom', "Transactions of the Linnean Society of London", 1811, 10(2), pp.229-255.
NotesSmith replied 14 [Apr 1827]
PrevRefNo17.287
Finding_AidsDawson, W R (1934). "Catalogue of the manuscripts in the Library of The Linnean Society - Part I. The Smith papers: The correspondence and miscellaneous papers of Sir James Edward Smith", London: Linnean Society.
Creator NameRoscoe, William (1753-1831)
Access_StatusOpen
Persons
CodePersonNameDates
GB/110/1/31Roscoe; William (1753-1831); historian and patron of the arts1753-1831
GB/110/1/28Roxburgh; William (1751-1815); botanist1751-1815
GB/110/1/90White; David (1767-1818); physician and botanist1767-1818
GB/110/1/62Coke; Thomas William (1754-1842); 1st Earl of Leicester of Holkham; politician and agricultural reformer1754-1842
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