Reports death, on 19 December, of Lady Rockingham [Mary Watson-Wentworth], ten days before Smith's box of biscuits and apples arrived. Mrs [Elizabeth] Weddell [Watson-Wentworth's step-sister] the sole executrix. Lady Rockingham was being treated by Dr Fraser and there were hopes she would recover, and she was not confined to bed any more than usual, but she died with water on the chest at about 5 o'clock in the morning.

On receipt of the last number of "Flora Britannica" was reminded of a lichen on Exmouth Warren resembling 'Lichen prunastri' but growing on the ground; encloses fragments of 'Lichen stictoceros' [Smith has annotated "right" in the margin]. His brother, Lieutenant Colonel of the North York Militia, will frank any botanical correspondence for Smith.

Thanks Smith for letter and renewal of their correspondence. Delighted by Smith's description of the "real study of botany" and she often regrets that so many make botany consist of "a long catalogue of names & classes, instead of directing the mind to discover the affinity plants bear to each other and their medicinal virtues", and she is convinced that people would have fewer medical complaints it they attended more to simples. Caught in storm of snow and hail on return journey from an excursion to Devil's Bridge, where building work is being carried out on a house two of her father's old servants are settled in.

They intend to stay in London for two months and she is anticipating the "charming music" she will hear at the opera and other amusements. Mr Viganoni will attend her in London so they will have "some delightful concerts".

Note by Thomas Johnes thanking Smith for his criticisms, shall write fully soon.

Hopes Smith received his last letter, in which there was "a hint respecting one of your baronets meant for your own eyes alone" [this letter is not extant in this collection]. Read [Anna Laetitia] Barbauld's "most excellent" introduction to [Samuel] Richardson's "Letters"; it is a "charming collection", but too long. Smith's "little friend" [his daughter, Marimane Johnes], to be as proficient in drawing as in music. His work on translation of Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] keeps two compositers and one press man fully employed; third volume finished though worried White is keeping them aside as he has not seen second volume yet.

Conservatory thriving under sole management of Mrs Johnes; she received two double red and double variegated 'Camellia' from the Duchess of Bedford [Georgiana Russell (d 1853)] and asks what sort of 'Bigonia' will thrive in conservatory and best time for them. Depending on the "majorities" intends to spend this year at home finishing his book.

New year greetings, in Latin. Busy with his literary and business work, especially correcting and proof reading. Thanks for Smith's present of books of last year, delighted with Smith's "Tour of the Continent". Asks Smith to value works of Columna [Smith sent copies owned by Edmund Davall to Roscoe as a prospective buyer]. Smith should ask of Messrs Cadell and Davies a poem called "The Press", written by his printer, and published as a specimen of typography and to show the excellence of its mechanical execution and engravings.

Asks Smith to consult on possibilities of his 16 year old son, James, being placed with [Samuel] Taylor to learn practical farming. At [Liverpool Botanic Garden] two new houses have been completed and filled with plants and five more to be finished; [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator of the garden] says when complete it shall challenge "all the kingdom in point both of elegance & convenience".

Satisfied with the terms for placing his son, James, with the farmer [Samuel] Taylor. Sent his other son, Robert, to a public school at Macclesfield, [Cheshire], after to the "great terror of all the family" he had a "violent fit of Chemistry". Sends banknotes as payment for the "two rare works of Columna" sold by Smith. Pleased bust of Smith is liked as he greatly values the original model given him by [George] Bullock [(1783-1818), sculptor]. Reminds Smith of his promise to visit Liverpool again, and hopes Smith's work on a herbarium for Rocoe is progressing. Thanks for election as FLS. Offered some "very interesting" medals by Mr Stevenson.

"Unhinged" by his trip to London and return journey to Allerton [Hall, near Liverpool], where he enjoyed the "attractive company" of his friend [Henry] Fuseli [(1741-1825), painter]. Looking forward to Smith's planned trip to Liverpool next year. Received Smith's letter of 6 [June] containing parcel of Indian seeds collected by Captain [Thomas] Hardwicke. Hopes Smith has seen his son, James, at Norwich; asks his opinion of James' health.

Rejoices with Smith at "the happy event which has just taken place". Thanks Smith and his wife for the "kind & continued attention" they have shown James, his son, [studying under Samuel Taylor, farmer, in Norfolk]. Looking forward to seeing Smith in Liverpool and eulogises their friendship. Sends regards to Mrs [Susannah] Taylor and [William Fitt] Drake.

His joy at receiving a letter from Smith. Pleased Mrs [Pleasance] Smith recovered her health through sea-bathing; Liverpool is "the most frequented bathing place in the kingdom". All his Liverpool friends "charmed" with Mrs Martin [Smith's sister] but concerned she is walking too long. Flattered by Smith's proposal to dedicate "Exotic Botany" to him.

Responds to points in Smith's previous letter: has not seen Captain [Thomas] Hardwicke, though received seeds and letter from him; [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] sent Lady [Amelia] Hume plants two months ago, and she sent back specimen of 'Humea elegans'; Shepherd hopes to send Cooper cuttings of 20 kinds of 'Passiflora' in the spring, their collection has considerably increased; safely received parrot tulip roots; will soon send packet of seeds from the gardens; observed the "minute criticism" [of Smith's "Flora Britannica"] in the "Monthly Magazine" and agrees the author must be handled "with tenderness". His "[Life and Pontificate of] Leo [the Tenth]" [(1805)] in final parts of fourth volume. Ordered "Annals of Botany" with "Exotic Botany". Glad of progress in his son [James, placed with Norfolk farmer Samuel Taylor] and [William Fitt] Drake.

Requests garden plants from Mackays [nursery], including: Liquidamber, Catalpha, Tulip tree, Oriental plane, and several 'Ilex'. Describes conditions for march he made to Yarmouth, [Norfolk], and back [Woodward was lieutenant-colonel of the Diss Volunteers]; spent his evenings with [Dawson] Turner, who is busy correcting his "Muscologia" proofsheets.

Sends this before Smith leaves Norwich. Thanks for parcel and trees, though some in poor condition. Intends to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Thanks Smiths for congratulations on his military honours [Lieutenant-Colonel of Diss Volunteers], though he would prefer to be one step lower, as his current one involves great trouble and responsibility; reassures Smith his position does not involve any hard riding, though suffered from "gravel" recently, but it passed through.

Discusses reports of the dissolution of Parliament; worries that it will give Bonaparte opportunity to attack whilst the country is in confusion of a general election. The volunteers have had a great influence in preventing invasions, and in the last war and at the time of the Mutiny were the "salvation of the country".

Detailed description of a 'Carex' he is unable to identify, requests Smith's opinion. List of plants growing in Worcestershire and not yet figured in "English Botany", offers to send specimens. List of habitats of plants found by him in West of England and Guernsey. Pleased to hear third volume of "Flora Britannica" is published but wishes there was an English translation of it, "for the benefit of lady botanists", believing it would have sold well and "made the last edition of [William] Withering unnecessary". Disappointed that [James] Sowerby has not proceeded further in his work on fungi. Rough description of possible 'Ophrys arachnites' from Switzerland, believes it may be allied to 'Ophrys apifera'. Has received seeds of "very indifferent quality" from Lord Valentia [George Annesley] in Calcutta, India.

Informs Smith of additional locations of 'Carex incurva' in Scotland following Smith having only given the location as found in Lightfoot's "Flora Scotica" in the third volume of "Flora Britannica".

Satisfaction at Smith's division between 'Salix russelliana' and 'Salix fragilis' of Linnaeus. Describes his interest in this willow and notes how his grandfather [John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford (1710-1771)] introduced it to Bedfordshire and had it distributed amongst the tenants.

Flattered at having a plant named in his honour but prefers Blandford to be used over Spencer.

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".

Asks if there is a "manufactory of cast chains" in Norwich. Thanks for Smith's introduction for Dr Morgan to [Jonas] Dryander and Sir Joseph Banks' library, which he intends to use to view works by Schreber and Bloch. Corrects Smith on Dr Morgan's identity, who is a young man. Offers to send copy of his work on Welsh music, knowing that Smith is musical.

Written on printed survey for Bingley's book "British Zoology" [2 pp], comprising a list of animals and three queries on habits and corrections. Thanks for Smith's comments on his "Tour of North Wales". Working on "British Zoology" alongside his county history [of Hampshire]; particularly using Sonnini and La Cepede. Requests introductions to naturalists, particularly [William] Markwick, [George] Montagu [(1753-1815), naturalist], and [Dawson] Turner.

The grass Smith sent is in his herbarium as 'Festuca glauca', Curtis also had it under same name, but cannot find any description of it; it is like 'F. pumila'.

Thanks for Norfolk biscuits; apologises for delay in thanking Smith. Account of a fatal duel in Liverpool; outrage of the trial. A new work on respiration by [John] Bostock. They expect Dr Sancliffe of Cambridge to deliver a course of popular lectures on chemistry.