Geneva
12th December 1828
London
My dear Sir
Few days after you had left Geneva, Monsr de Candolle <1> returned from his journey to Paris; he expressed much regret at not finding you still in this place as he had but a short opportunity of cultivating your acquaintance previous to his departure.
I communicated to him the projet [sic] we had formed to obtain, thro’ the medium of the Lady of your acquaintance which had received dry specimens of plants of New Holland, collection [sic of the same and others from the said country. He feels highly pleased at the ideas, and agrees with great pleasure to pay one pound sterling each hundred of said specimens.
In order to make it an object for the collector, in those regions, to devote some of his time to the contemplated object, two other Botanists here, for whom I am answerable, are also disposed to receive the specimens at the same cost, and in equal proportion as to the number for each of us, viz:
| For Professr de Candolle – | 2 specimens of each specie [sic] |
| Mr Philip Duriant – | 2 do – do |
| Mr [Stephans Moricand?] – | 2 do – do |
| Mr Philip Mercier – | 2 do – do |
| Trial of each specie | – 8 specimens. |
Should this number of specimen [sic] of each specie in addition to that which you may require for yourself, appear to you rather considerable on account of the requisite time necessary for their preparation, you may in that case suppress the lots of Messrs Duriant & Moricand
In writing to that collector, it would be advisable to inform him in the way of instruction, that as much possible [sic], the specimen must be of good dimension, and as complete as he possibly can have, that is, provided with both organs, Flowers & fruits, on the same specimen or separately.
An other item which must be mentioned, is that respecting the payment. In the first place, when I mention the price of 1 £ or one guinea for each hundred specimen, I mean that amount paid in London either in your hands or those of any agent the collector may think proper to appoint. But, for the greater encouragement of the individual, perhaps would it be “à propos” to open to him a credit at Sidney for one half of that amount, or 10/ which he might receive for each 100 Spec. he would deliver to the correspondent in whom the credit would be given, and who would take care to have the cases shipped in good condition for London to your direction.
We sincerely wish, Mr de Candolle and I, that you may still feel desirous of promoting this means of procuring to the science a new source of useful discoveries, for which we shall feel much indebted to you.
Madam Mercier is at present in Paris, rue [illegible] no 18 where she is to remain untill [sic] next May. If during this period you were desirous of sending here specimen of the Ionian plants for drawing, or any thing else, you may with all confidence direct the package to her with the request of forwarding the same to me with your instructions which shall be punctually attended to being with great regard and esteem
My dear Sir Your humble & very obt Servant
Ph Mercier
Aux Philosophes no 282.
A Line in answer to the present would be very acceptable
H. F. Talbot Esqr
31. Sackville [Street]
London W
Lacock Abbey <2>
Chippenham
Wilts.
Notes:
1. Augustin Pyramus (or Pyrame) de Candolle (1778-1841), Swiss botanist.
2. Readdressed in another hand.