William Withering, Edgbaston, [Warwickshire], to James Edward Smith

Apologises for sending enclosed volumes so long after publication [probably Withering's "An arrangement of British plants" third edition]. Encloses two species of 'Arundo' of Linnaeus gathered last summer for Smith to name, always supposed them 'Arundo epigejos' and 'Arundo calamagrostis'; detailed observations on each, gives characters of his specimens. Received specimens of 'Chizonia pulchella' recently found for first time since being found on north coast of Cornwall some years ago; differences with figure he originally made [in his "Botanic arrangement"]. Corrections to his 'Gentiana collina' figure; from new specimens received thinks it is nondescript. Thanks Smith for offer of sending proof sheets of "Flora Britannica" as they came off the press so as to correct his own work, but various circumstances means he could not profit by such. Asks after possibility of seeing Smith at Edgbaston

William Withering, The Larches, [Birmingham, Warwickshire], to James Edward Smith, Norwich, [Norfolk]

Thanks for Smith's letter of 2 March [1801] and 'Drosera' specimens. Botany has "afforded [him] a most agreeable relaxation" from more severe study; preparing fourth edition of his father's [William Withering] work ["An arrangement of British plants", first published 1776], though warns not much alteration or improvement can be expected; thanks for Smith's offer of assistance. Requests Smith's assistance regarding an "indifferent specimen" of 'Ranunculus gramineus' gathered in North Wales; observations, will send it. He recently applied to join the Linnean Society

William Withering, The Larches, [Birmingham, Warwickshire], to James Edward Smith, at the apartments of the Linnean Society, Panton Square, Coventry Street, London

Sending box to Linnean Society containing 400 plants gathered in Portugal by himself and his father, [William Withering], most of which are present in the catalogue he presented to the Society last spring. Comments on "unfortunate necessity which most men now feel of forsaking the milder sciences which can only flourish in peaceable times, for the barbarous study of War"

William Withering, Edgbaston, [Warwickshire], to James Edward Smith, Norwich, [Norfolk]

Informs Smith he is "not quite implacable" on account of Smith's critique in preface to seventh volume of "English botany", and that he is not "intemperately [...] friendly to reform"; wishes Smith had kept him a little more detached "from the furious reformers of Germany, whose zeal has carried them to adopt measures which can never be defended". His only statement on subject is that it renders "the business of investigation more easy", for sake of the ladies who "cannot fail to be shocked at the abominable & indelicate idea of the females riding the males". Encloses specimen of "fungi parvi globosi" of "English botany"; observations. Asks that Smith delay figuring English 'Drosera' until he has sent specimens as he believes there are 5 species of that genus in the country. Encloses two Portugeuse species of 'Trifolium'; one may be 'T. angustifolium' [Smith annotation: "HL"] and the other belongs to subdivision of 'T. venicaria', if new suggests name 'T. umbellatum' [Smith annotation: "'resupinatum' HL"]; observations. In great hopes that 'Bromus diandrus' will prove valuable addition to agriculture, providing a much needed pasture in late March, though uncertain of expense of tillage; will send seed to any farming friend of Smith's. Thanks for Smith's praise of his "Botanical Arranagement" and for the "many corrections which it owes to [Smith's] superior knowledge". Thanks for invitation to Norwich, but his health complaints do not allow him to travel, hopes Smith will visit him instead. "The very flourishing state of the Linn[ean] Soc[iety] must be highly flattering to its Founder"

A New Method of preserving Fungi, &c

Volume: 2Start Page: 263End Page: 26

An arrangement of British plants : according to the latest improvements of the Linnean system : with an easy introduction to the study of botany : illustrated by copper plates

v.3 (1830

William Withering, Edgbaston, [Warwickshire], to James Edward Smith, Norwich, [Norfolk]

Informs Smith he is "not quite implacable" on account of Smith's critique in preface to seventh volume of "English botany", and that he is not "intemperately [...] friendly to reform"; wishes Smith had kept him a little more detached "from the furious reformers of Germany, whose zeal has carried them to adopt measures which can never be defended". His only statement on subject is that it renders "the business of investigation more easy", for sake of the ladies who "cannot fail to be shocked at the abominable & indelicate idea of the females riding the males". Encloses specimen of "fungi parvi globosi" of "English botany"; observations. Asks that Smith delay figuring English 'Drosera' until he has sent specimens as he believes there are 5 species of that genus in the country. Encloses two Portugeuse species of 'Trifolium'; one may be 'T. angustifolium' [Smith annotation: "HL"] and the other belongs to subdivision of 'T. venicaria', if new suggests name 'T. umbellatum' [Smith annotation: "'resupinatum' HL"]; observations. In great hopes that 'Bromus diandrus' will prove valuable addition to agriculture, providing a much needed pasture in late March, though uncertain of expense of tillage; will send seed to any farming friend of Smith's. Thanks for Smith's praise of his "Botanical Arranagement" and for the "many corrections which it owes to [Smith's] superior knowledge". Thanks for invitation to Norwich, but his health complaints do not allow him to travel, hopes Smith will visit him instead. "The very flourishing state of the Linn[ean] Soc[iety] must be highly flattering to its Founder"

William Withering, Birmingham, [Warwickshire], to James Edward Smith

Thanks Smith for the "very judicious and liberal criticisms" he made upon the sheet [probably "A botanical arrangement of British plants" second edition], discusses various aspects of the work, including: difficulties of making the references; accenting of trivial and generic names, in accordance with Smith's opinion; omitted etymology; has made the times of flowering as accurate as possible but unsure how to do same for ripening of seeds and budding of leaves; work proceeding so slowly it will not be ready for publication next year, unless they leave the cryptogams for an additional volume. If young Linnaeus had lived they had intended to compare the plants with the Linnaean specimens; they now hear the whole collection is coming to England, but they do not know who has acquired it. Will send Smith a copy of the book when printed

William Withering, Birmingham, [Warwickshire], to James Edward Smith, 12 Great Marlborough Street, London

Despite an arduous voyage home benefited greatly from his visit to Portugal; avoided a fresh attack of periprieumony, though the climate is not suitable for consumptive patients. Stayed with the Abbe Corrêa, much pleased with his company; transmitted Smith's message of his being a bad correspondent, he has been busy planting and establishing a Portuguese Royal Society; announcement of elections of Smith and Sir Joseph Banks delayed on account of ceremonial matters; the Society's intentions, fears ignorance and bigotry of the nobles and princes will crush Corrêa's "seeds of free enquiry". Fears the specimens of 'Fucus stipulata' he collected for Smith will no longer be fresh. Professor Vandelli has had to give up some of his natural history and chemistry studies on account of his government post and advancing age. Father Mariana, a native of Brazil, has brought extensive collections of fish, insects, and plants from that place to Portugal, accompanied with drawings made by himself; to be published in 12-14 volumes at Venice, though Portugal is ignorant of the value of the collections. In spite of [Francis] Masson [(1741-1805), Kew plant collector] having twice "rifled the Flora of Portugal" believes he found a few new plants, offers them for "Plantae rariores" or "Spicilegium botanicum". Encloses seeds of a new grass he calls 'Bromus diandra', to be shared with Banks and [William] Aiton [(1731-1793), director Kew Gardens 1759-1793]. Intends to begin work on new edition of the "Botanic Arrangement" soon; asks Smith's opinion of best and most authentic edition of Linnaeus' "Species plantarum". "English botany" "does much credit to its author, & must find an extensive sale in the present fashionable rage for the study"; pleased to see so few of the more common plants which have been so often figured before