Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London - University Library

LIKNEAN SOCIETY OF LONDON. 27
secret method of pearl- formation. This seems fo haA'e been
exactly the predicament in which Mr. Bagge the grandson found
hhnself when he inherited his grandfather's pa])ers bought from
Linnaeus, but ap])arently made no use of. He explains in the
second MS. volume to which I have referred, and wliich contains
the missing papers A. to H., how it was that his grandfather and
his father were unable to take advantage of the rights they had
acquired, and how he himself was not in a position to do so until
after the lapse of 60 years from the original purcliase.
It is, however, evident that J. P. Bagge eventually contemplated
pursuing the industry of pearl-formation by Linuaeus's
method, as we have in this volume a copy of a letter from the
King of Sweden, dated Feb. 27th, IS'22, confirming to him the
privileges his Grandfather had obtained by purchasing the secret
in 1762. It is evident also that he was troubled by the thought
that possibly Sir James Smith possessed a copy of the secret
amongst his Linna,'an papers, or that he or others in England
might be able to hit upon the method by an examination of the
pearls and shells which it was known had gone to London. In a
" Private Memorandum " in our MS. book, J. P. Bagge says :
" Question A. Shall I write to Sir Ja^ E. Smith and ask him
for the pearls and mussel-shells which produced them ?
" Remarlcs. If he is not inclined to give up all, perhaps he may
tlie half, particularly if I offer him the original merit list of
Linnaeus in exchange, a document he may deem interesting either
for the Linncean Society or to publish in one of the new editions
of Sir James' works. I think I could besides offer the value of
the pearls in money according to survey, and as they are not connected
with Botany perhaps Sir Ja^. thinks them woi'thless, in a
scientific point of view. It would certainly be pleasant, in offering
the secret, to be able to produce specimens of pearls actually
prochiced by Linnceus. Perhaps he \\ould lend them for some
time."
Probably at that time (about 1820) Bagge hoped to induce the
State, or some individual or company in Sweden to take the
matter up and acquire his rights. He evidently in the end wrote
something to Sir J. E. Smith, for we have a copy of the answer,
which is as follows :
" Sir,
—
(Copy of Sir James E. Smith's letter to J. P. Bagge.)
—
"Holkham, Norfolk,
Nov. 28, 1821.
I received your packet at Noruich, my usual residence,
and I take the opportunity of a little leisure in the country to
answer it.
" The only jiearls I ever expected from the possession of your
illustrious countryman's literary treasures are pearls of science, in
which I have not been disappointed. I am contented with these,