Exhilarated by the very full audiences at his lectures, which finish on Saturday. People he has stayed with. Details of his intended return journey. Enquired after pumps; his findings. Received no letters or plants from Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley]. His efforts to reconciliate Miss Coke and her father [Thomas William Coke]; conflicts in that family.

His journey to Holkham [home of Thomas William Coke]. Lists the guests, including the Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)]. The Fens in high beauty, with trees still in leaf. Transcribes epitaph Edward Richards, "an ideot", in Edgbaston churchyard, [near Birmingham, Warwickshire], in danger of entire destruction.

Met Master Coke [son of Thomas William Coke], recovering from near fatal influenza. Mrs S Stanhope miscarried at 4 months. Has seen Lady Andover; Mr Dickenson; [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, his wife [Catherine] much less disturbed than last year; Mrs Bostock, who says Mrs Martin, [Smith's sister, Fanny], deceived in Mr Martin's business abilities; the Sims; visited Dr Baillie, who is ill, prescribed opium for his complaint. Ages of various friends.

His visit to Sunninghill, [Berkshire], to visit his cousins [the Kindersleys]; the children. Attended last Linnean Society meeting of the season. Botanised at Soho Square and saw Belzoni's "famous sarcophagus" at the British Museum. Regathered his strength following cholera attack with milk and rose conserve. His time at Upton and Hale's End, [Essex], with the Forsters: attended a Quaker's meeting at Plaistow, [Essex]; saw Mr and Mrs Dimsdale. Invited by [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor] to discuss his bust.

Sir Thomas and Lady Cullum "tolerably well", though Sir Thomas had an eruption in his legs. Account of remainder of his time in London, including his meeting with [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor]; breakfasted with [Thomas] Forster, who is forced to give up Bleak Hall; attended dinner at Mr Malkin's. Visited Ickworth and Mr Barnwell with Lady Cullum; too much Portugal laurel.

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]

Just returned from his first lecture. Account of his journey from Norwich to Walthamstow, met by [Thomas] Forster and wife. Account of his first lecture. Attending Linnean Society Council and meeting this evening. Will send Pleasance's brother, Robert, newspaper with account of the meeting against slavery.

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]

Busy correcting sheets, completing his index, and holding lectures. The lectures very crowded and seem "much approved". His travel arrangements. Received letter from [Edmund] Davall's eldest son, married and settled at Vevey, [Switzerland], and recommending his younger brother to Smith, who wishes to come to England; will write to prevent his coming. Another letter from George Hibbert about the gardener who is to go to Jamaica. [Thomas] Forster had an epileptic fit, he has been keeping them secret for 20 years. Staying next at [Edward] Forster's, Hale End, [Essex]. [James] Bicheno to become new Linnean Society secretary; [Joseph] Sabine made more of it that was just or true.

Called at Longman's: first two volumes of "English Flora" have just paid their expenses with half the stock sold, the remaining 800 copies to be all profit. Reviews his own lecture from yesterday. Bishop of Chester's [Charles Blomfield (1786-1857)] and Butler's debate at the Institution: both expose "much weakness" in the orthodox cause. Gave a speech at Linnean Society after list of subscribers to his bust was read. His strength, rheumatism, and cholic improved but cannot avoid perspiration at night. His Bristol lectures have been set to begin 13 June.

His laborious Monday: collected plants for his lecture, accompanied by Mrs Edward Forster; gave his lecture; attended a fraught Linnean Society audit and Council due to the quarrels with [Joseph] Sabine, but conciliated after [Alexander] Macleay and himself lectured [David] Don [(1799-1841), botanist]. Anniversary meeting and dinner well attended, though Sabine did not attend; conflicts between [James] Bicheno and [John] Lindley [(1799-1865), botanist]. Is to attend, with Forster, the annual meeting of Chimney Sweepers, who want to outlaw use of children in the profession. Next staying at Miss Lloyd's lodgings at Chapel Place. Sitting for [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor] on return from Bristol. His dentist is Mr Cartwright. Professor [Thomas] Martyn has mouth cancer. Edward Taylors moving to London.

Plants for lectures supplied by [Edward] Forster's garden and Loddige's [nursery]. Finished on Thursday to a "thunder of applause"; paid 100 guineas. Visited Horticultural Society gardens and spent pleasant time with [John] Lindley [(1799-1865), botanist], showing that their quarrel is "more than made up". Often breakfasts at the Menzies. [Samuel] Goodenough approves of next fasciculus of "Flora Graeca". Disappointed by Bullock's Mexican curiosities. Met Sir Astley Cooper at Saville Onley's, he continually reads his "Introduction to Botany". A party at the Blackwells; George Blackwell leaving the country for 2 years. His health generally better but his old complaint increased; Dr Davy prescribes Ipecacuanla with laudanum. Attempted and failed to get [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert to be accommodating regarding Linnean Society chair.

His travel arrangements for Bristol. Account of remainder of his time in London, including visits to Paddington to see [Thomas William] Coke and family; a ball at Mrs Bennett's, sister of [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, where he met Sir Stamford Raffles [(1781-1826), founder of Singapore], they are now "sworn friends"; attended the King's [George IV (1762-1830)] drawing room; visited Lady Hervey and Miss Caton, Mrs Patterson unwell. Dr [Martin] Davy extravagantly applauded "English Flora".

A meeting with [Thomas] Platt [(d 1842), one of John Sibthorp's executors, supervised the publication of "Flora Graeca"], who is annoyed at the British Museum having claimed a copy of "Flora Graeca" and sued the bookseller according to the act which requires copies to be deposited with public bodies. All say he looks "remarkably well", though thinner; his night perspiration has returned. Lambert insists that they stay at Boyton, [Wiltshire], on return from Bristol as he can get them a sight of Fonthill [Abbey, Wiltshire, built by William Beckford (1760-1844), novelist]. Lady de Clifford [Sophia Southwell] said to be "breaking fast".

Dined at [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's with Captain [Phillip Barker] King [(1791-1856], the great New Holland navigator, how is about to publish his voyage, and has named in honour of him a group of islands on the southern coast of New Holland.

[Letter incomplete: fragment only]

Change in the weather; "extraordinary phenomena" of a "yellowish substance" observed on surface of rain water cisterns which on burning proved to be sulphur; Mr Dalton the chemist says it has not been observed since the execution of Charles I and Cromwell's usurpation, as mentioned by Baker, unable to find this in his "Chronicles"; other opinions on the cause, including being swept up from volcanic mountains. Discussion of Norwich election with Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)]. A grebe taken on a ship's deck; sent to be stuffed. A very bad mackerel voyage, causing the pedlars to make trouble. Dined at the Lockwood's; a picture of Mrs Lockwood's great aunt by Sir Thomas Lawrence.

Account of his and Charles' [nephew of Smith's] excursion to Sunninghill, [Berkshire, home of Smith's Kindersley cousins]; a violent storm with hail, which they collected for iced water; visited Mr Barclay's grand house, including stoves and botanic gardens; searched in vain for tomb or memorial of his uncle Ireland in Reigate, [Surrey], church, the sexton had known his uncle and knew of the "incestuous anecdote". Everyone praises his improved looks and colour. Looked at carpet patterns; his opinion. Sitting for last time for [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor] tomorrow.

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] missing or destroyed, fragment of second folio pasted to end of recto of folio]

Declines offer of Secretaryship of the Linnean Society and explains his decision. Pleased that Smith's health has improved and his progress with the third volume of "The English Flora". Sending Smith his appendix to "Captain Parry's 1st Voyage" and his contribution to the botanical appendix of "Captain Franklin's journey". Pleased that Smith is to adopt Brown's proposals for 'Cruciferae', and comments on [Augustin Pyramus] de Candolle's work on the same.

Accepts his prospective appointment [as vice-president of Linnean Society] with some trepidation. Glad to hear of the additions of 'Woodia' and 'Ophrys' to "The English Flora" which are new to him, had previously heard of the 'Isnardia' from others. Still unsatisfied with 'Aspidium' and 'Nephrodium'. Currently engaged in examining particles of "faville".

Planning to come to London in April or May to attempt to settle at India House the remainder of his natural history collection and unless easily arranged "the whole for me may go to the devil". Hopes Smith received a copy of his "Hindu Genealogies".

His plans for visiting London. Hopes to procure for Smith duplicates and notes of his Indian plants which would make considerable additions to Smith's "Adversaria Botanica" which he hopes Smith will set about in earnest.

Having looked over the specimens obtained from India House has come to the conclusion that the most scientifically useful purpose would be to publish a commentaries on the "Hortus Malabaricus" and "Flora Amboinensis", details how he would go about this. Will start immediately if suitable for publication in "Linnean Transactions", with a supplement of the drawings from Mysore left with Smith and from Ava, Burma, given to Sir Joseph Banks. Drawings of 'Scitamineae' and Orchides have been lost by the Marquees of Hastings [Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings (1754-1826) Governor-General of India, 1813-1823]. Requests Smith's opinion on this and whether it should be published all in Latin, or the commentary in English and the descriptive parts in Latin, as [Robert] Brown did in his treatise on the compositae in volume 12 of "Linnean Transactions".

Received Smith's letter of 26 August. Shall proceed with the commentary on the "Hortus Malabaricus", has started arranging the specimens and written a preface giving an account of his journeys in India but feels that the commentary will be of considerable length. Perplexed by a 'Boerhavia' which he previously thought a 'Valeriana chinensis', asks Smith to consult his Mysore specimens for a 'Boerharvia elata' so as to see if a mistake was made. Has found two species of Aspidium, one is 'Aspidium dilatatum' and the other he previously thought to be 'Felix femina' but now cannot identify despite consulting "Flora Britannica", sending specimens. Sorry to hear of [Robert] Brown's difficulties at the British Museum.

Sends the first part of his commentary on the "Hortus Malabaricus", if suitable for "Linnean Transactions" will forward the rest. The Wernerian Society in Edinburgh will print a similar commentary on the "Herbarium Amboinense". Arranging the dried plants he brought from India according to the Linnaean method and compiling an index, explains his methodology. Reports the progress of the commentary, having reached 'Hexandria' and already has 900 species. Would like to discuss with Smith what to do with specimen duplicates. Has sent an account of his botanical work in India to the Royal Society of Edinburgh which will form an introduction to his commentaries. Requests berries of the 'Viscum'.