Letter received by Banks from James Edward Smith, 19 January1799 (Series 72.169) - No. 0001

[Page 1]

Norwich Jan. 19. 1799.

Dear Sir  

          We are very much obliged by your troubling yourself to forward my Mother's packet.  I am most particularly obliged by your acceptance of my intended dedication, accompanied with so many kind & flattering expressions towards me & my  good work - I will try to make it not unworthy of it's patron. 

          Mr. Rigby a very accurate observer here tells me the thermom.r was at 4 below 0 about ½ a mile out of the town, on the night of Wed.y Dec. 26th.   In the town it has not been observed so low by 10 or 12 degrees, but much I presume is to be allowed for the warmth of surrounding houses in so sudden an accession of cold.