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Document number: 1419
Date: 06 Apr 1826
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: MAZZIANI Domenico
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Last updated: 1st September 2003

M. Talbot

Castrades

Dal Giardino Botanico di Corfù

Li 6. Aprile 1826

Avendo inteso che trovasi in Corfù un Amante della Botanica, mi sono affrettato d’indagare l’abitazione ed il nome, curiosità alla quale mi spinge un Genio uguale. Ero venuto in persona questa mattina, per esibirle la mia servitù, ma non avendola trovata, così mi fo un dovere di parteciparle che esiste in Corfù un Giardino Botanico addetto all’ Accademia Ionia <1> sotto gli auspici di Lord Ce di Guilford, <2> e che questo è situato in Castrades nel così detto Giardino di Sa Giustina. Che io sono il sopraintendente del medesimo sotto l’Ispezione del Sig. Professor Dr. <Spachys?>; che presso di me troverà un esatto catalogo di tutte le Fanerogame e Crittogame dell’Isola, che ho potute discoprire da 3 anni a questa parte, con l’indicazione topografica de’ luoghi ove si trovano, e dell’epoca della loro <illegible>, e che finalmente ho presso di me una ricca collezione di Crittogame Indigene elegantemente disposte e ben disseccate.

Io spero, che non essendo esagerato il Genio attribuitoli dalla fama, Ella non disdegnerà onorarmi. La mia abitazione trovasi in Castrades sopra il Caffè del Sig. Marchesi.

Ambizioso di tanto gradito onore, ne sospiro il momento, e mi offro a suoi venerati comandi.

Uml.mo Devot.mo Servo

Domenico Mazziani

A Mr Talbot
Presso Mr Brown in Spianata Corfú


Translation:

Mr Talbot

Castrades

From the Botanic Garden of Corfu

April 6th 1826

Having heard that a Lover of Botany was to be found in Corfu, I hastened to make enquiries as to his residence and his name, a curiosity to which I was driven by such Genius. I came in person this morning, in order to demonstrate my servitude to you, but not having found you, I thus make it my duty to inform you that there exists in Corfu a Botanic Garden in the charge of the Ionian Academy under the auspices of Lord Ce of Guilford, and that it is situated in Castrades in the so-called Garden of Santa Giustina . That I am the supervisor of the above under the Inspection of Professor Dr. <Spachys?>; that you will find in my house a precise catalogue of all the Phanerogams and Cryptogams of the Island, which I have been able to discover in 3 years in this area, with the topographical indication of the locations in which they are to be found, and the date of their <illegible>, and lastly that I also have a rich collection of elegantly arranged and well dried out Indigenous Cryptogams.

I hope, the Genius attributed to you by your renown being no exaggeration, that you will not disdain to honour me. My residence is to be found in Castrades above Mr. Marchesi’s café.

Eager to receive such a welcome honour, I can hardly await the moment, and I offer myself to your venerable command.

Your Most Humble and Devoted Servant

Domenico Mazziani

A Mr Talbot
Presso Mr Brown in Spianata Corfú


Notes:

1. The first Greek University was founded in the town of Corfu in 1823 but was then disestablished on cessation of the English protectorate. The University was called the Ionian Academy.

2. Frederick North, 5th Earl of Guilford (1766–1827).