"No impartial person can approve of" [Richard] Salisbury's conduct towards Smith; approves of Smith's determination to not take any further notice. Requests paper from Smith to be read at next Linnean Society meeting at their new house in Gerard Street, [Soho], "which is fitted up in a very capital style". He continues extremely busy with his official work.

Sorry to hear Smith's health continues bad. Fears Smith misunderstood some of his expressions in his last letter and reassures him that he has not shown any of his letters regarding his dispute with [Richard] Salisbury; the only blame imputed to Smith is for "taking up the Gauntlet at all". Smith's "character as a Botanist stands too highly to be at all affected by anything Mr S has said or can say", pleased to hear Smith will not take the matter further. Mr [John] Loudon proposed FLS on Smith's recommendation.

Disappointed to not be able to join Smith and his family in Liverpool and missing the lectures. Invites Smith to come to Ireland after his stay in Liverpool. Mackay is on a botanising tour of County Cork. Enjoying the second volume of [William] Roscoe's "Leo" ["The Life of Lorenzo de' Medici"] but wishes there was a translation of the appendices.

The managers of the Royal Institution ask whether Smith would deliver a third course of lectures on botany in 1806. The last course gave "universal pleasure and satisfaction".

[Smith has briefly annotated his reply] Accepts the offer but would like to make the course longer.

Account of journey from Norwich, Norfolk, to London, where he is staying with [Archibald] Menzies. Sir Joseph Banks is to attend the Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)] at the installation of the Knights of the Garter. Subscription prices for the [Royal] Institution have risen. Ran Smith's errands, including going to see [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert but he was away at the Marquess of Blandford's. Unable to see Mr Savage at the Royal Institution but did see Humphry Davy. Visited [John Boydell's] "Shakespeare Gallery", description and critique of some of the pictures there including those by James Northcote; Sir Joshua Reynolds; Richard Westall, who is "superior" to William Hamilton and Robert Smirke; and Benjamin West, who "exhibits all of the extravagance without possessing the genius of [Henry] Fuseli". Regrets that "this complete illustration of the plays of our excellent poet should not be deposited in a public museum" [after falling into financial difficulties Boydell's entire business was disposed of in a lottery]. Description of attending a performance of "Douglas" [tragedy by John Home, first performed in Edinburgh in 1756] at the Drury Lane Theatre, including a near stampede for seats and review of [William Betty's] performance as Young Norval. [William Henry West Betty (1791-1874), also known as the Young Roscius or the Boy, was a talented child actor who first appeared at Drury Lane in 1804]. Menzies says that attendance at the Royal Institution often amounts to 1100 or 1200 persons.

Account of his stay in Tavistock, Devon, with Mr and Mrs Harness, and onward journey to Bath via Exeter, where he saw at the theatre "Young Roscius the 2nd" perform Hamlet, and Bristol. At Bath saw "Maid of the Mill" [by John Fletcher and William Rowley, first performed 1623]. Accounts of people he called on including Dr [Thomas] Beddoes, "very odd and absent"; Mr and Mrs Dickson; Lady Strangford and her daughters; the Talbots; Dr Parry; Miss Sharpe; Dr Currie; and [Thomas] Velley.

In consequence of Smith's "considerations" at the [Liverpool] Botanic Garden about the "'Aloe' alias 'Agave'" sent to Portugal for the flower stalk of one. Gives description of its size and cutting. Sending a branch of it to Smith along with a 'Melancia', watermelon, and Portugal onions.

Has just returned from Lewis [Lewes], Sussex, surprised to find herbarium of [Peter Simon] Pallas in possession of [John Marten] Cripps [(1780-1853) traveller and antiquary]. It contains all the plants of "Flora Rossica", Gmelin's "Flora Sibirica", and Pallas' "Travels". Also complete collection of Forster's plants, and several of Sir Joseph Banks' South Sea plants, Pallas being the only person Banks sent any to. Pleased with Smith's "Exotic Botany". A "curious conversation" at Soho Square, asks Smith if he [Lambert] ever signed Dr T's certificate [Robert John Thornton (1768-1837) physician and writer on botany, angered several botanists in pursuit of completing his work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus"].

Thanks for turkey. Interested by Smith's account of his "poisoning plan", Sir Jospeh Banks says it will "eat up plants & paper in the course of two or three years". Asks when Smith will begin publication of "Lapland Journey". Clarifies conversation relating to [Robert John] Thornton [(1768-1837) physician and writer on botany], part of a dispute involving Mr Caley publishing unprovoked assaults on Lambert in the "Imperial Review". Sends a box of "Lambert nuts", believes it to be a new species, relates how his father grew first tree in country hence their common appellation. Relates coincidence of [Jonas] Dryander and [Charles] Konig also both knowing them as "Lambert nuts" from their respective Sweden and Germany, but from the German for "long-bearded". [Peter Simon] Pallas mentions it in his "Travels in the Crimea".

Met [William] Westall [(1781-1850) painter and engraver] at Sir Joseph Banks' just returned from [Matthew] Flinders' [(1774-1814) naval officer] expedition [to circumnavigate Australia]. His plant specimens were wrecked on a sandbank but he saved his drawings. Would like Smith to arrange an introduction to Westall as he is a relative. Received seeds from Lady [Amelia] Hume. A dispute between Banks and [Robert John] Thornton [(c 1768-1837), physician and writer on botany] originating from Thornton applying for Banks' portrait [for inclusion in "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus"]. Thornton also in a "sad scrape" with [William George] Maton for obtaining a copy of Maton's engraving of Linnaeus from his engraver.

[Letter incomplete: half of second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Has been excavating tumuli near Stonehenge with Sir Richard Hoare, research for Hoare's "History of Ancient Wiltshire". His "Girald Cambren" ["Giraldus de Barri"] to be published next winter. Hoare's is "the largest private library" he ever saw, including an unnamed book with an excellent figure of papyrus growing in Sicily. Unsurprised by Smith's comments on [Richard] Salisbury, has "long thought him to belong to the tribe of Ishmael". Pleased with [William George] Maton's work but disappointed he does not mention the Linnaean collections or present state of botany ["A general view of the writings of Linnaeus"]. Will send Smith a list of his herbarium. Wants [William Fitt] Drake to see if there are many duplicate specimens of 'Fosteria' in Forster's herbarium. Arrival of [William] Roxburgh who has brought seed collections. Received live plants and seeds from Dr [Thomas] Dancer [(c 1750-1811) island botanist of Jamaica] including 'Cinchona caribaea', believes this to be first raised in England. States that his 'Ochroma' are now one of "the most magnificent botanical sites in the kingdom". Disappointed Smith is not visiting this summer.

[William George] Maton is teaching botany to the women of the Royal Family; spends two hours a day with the Queen [Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III] and reads with Princess Elizabeth who is "determined to become an expert British botanist". The Queen bought Gaertner on Maton's recommendation. They are forming a herbarium of marine plants, "the monarch himself often comes in to see them at their labours" and Smith and [Samuel] Goodenough's names are often mentioned. Has sent a capsule of the 'Ochroma' which the Queen intends to grow at Frogmore.

Informed by [George] Jackson that [Jonas] Dryander "is quite restored to botany" and is publishing a paper in [Charles] Konig's "Annals" on "Chloris Novae Hollandiae". Received first part of Labillarière's "New Holland Plants". Has specimens of 'Solanum pyracanthos' for [James] Sowerby. Received seeds from [Antonio José] Cavanillies which are in no other collection except at Kew. Has raised from seed twenty plants of 'Cinchona caribaea'. Pleased with Smith's account of "our friend Sarum" [Richard Salisbury] in "Exotic Botany". Has sent Sowerby complete specimens of the "Lambert nut". Has received first part of [Alexander von] Humboldt's and [Aimé] Bonpland's "Plantae aquinoetiales". Requests specimen of 'Trapa natans'.

Remarks on compliment "Sarum" [Richard Salisbury] has paid Smith in his "Paradisus [Londinensis]", points out errors viz. 'Castalia sacra' does not open in the morning but the evening and the figure of 'Castalia magnifica' is taken from a small specimen. If Smith wishes to give a better figure of it offers to obtain one twice as big from "Fleming's Drawings" for him. Would not be surprised if Salisbury is forced to change the title of his work to "Paradise Lost". Has heard from the Marquess [of Blandford, George Spencer-Churchill] that he [Salisbury] is not likely to have the honour of "describing them minutely"at Whiteknights, [Reading, Berkshire].

Thanks for promise of specimen of 'Trapa natans'. Has sent specimens of the "Lambert nut" in all its stages to [James] Sowerby for possible inclusion in "Exotic Botany". Received from Gaertner first part of his "continuation of the Carpology". Received letters from [William] Roxburgh who has plenty of work [for Lambert] with his Flora although his herbarium is very small. Roxburgh having difficulties finding a house big enough for his large family. [George] Jackson saw "our worthy friend" [probably Richard Salisbury] looking for seeds of 'Convolvulus' and saying Smith was mistaken about them. Intends to ask Salisbury when he intends to publish new edition of his "Paradise Lost" ["Paradisus Londinensis"]. An unnamed "certain person" whose affair with Forster and Lambert deserves him "to be hurt". Would like Smith's opinion of [William George] Maton's new work ["A general view of the writings of Linnaeus"], reviewed by Thornton in the "Monthly Epitome".

Requests Smith's corrections and additions for third edition of "Language of Botany". Has finished work on "The gardener's and botanist's dictionary".

Jokes that Smith is suffering from two afflictions, erysipelas and [Richard] Salisbury. Linnean Society settled in new premises [9 Gerard Street, Soho, London]. [Robert] Brown still undecided on offering himself for the new office [of Clerk, Librarian and Housekeeper]. Plants brought back by Brown [from Australia] deposited in Soho Square [home of Sir Joseph Banks]. Compliments first numbers of [Alexander von] Humboldt's "South American plants" but complains that there is no clarification of 'Cortex peruvianus' [Jesuit's Bark, remedy for malaria] in the remarks on 'Cinchona', so unable to fully advise the committee of the College of Physicians revising the London Pharmacopoeia on this. Royal Society's Copley medal awarded to [Humphry] Davy.

Has not heard from Smith for a year but anxious for his observations. Has been assisted by [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow but doubtful whether "he has hit the Linnaean plant". Complains about how often Linnaeus is wrongly cited, even in [Jan Frederik] Gronovius' "Flora Virginica". Asks if there is anyone in London to compare American plants with herbarium of Gronovius and [John] Clayton, which is in London. Has asked a similar question in Paris of [André] Michaux's herbarium, whom he remarks neglected to keep Linnaeus' received names. List of queries from "Flora Virginica" by page, asks if "Linnean Transactions" might not answer these and similar queries for those "who live at a distance from the fountain". A second list of queries asking Smith to fix the names of some plants he previously sent. Asks permission to send another packet of plants, will send it with Mr Lyons, gardener at William Hamilton's "excellent botanical garden" near Philadelphia. Asks if Dawson Turner is still alive as Turner wanted 'Conferva' specimens. News of North American botanical publications: reviews Michaux's work ["Flora Boreali-Americana"]; Barton preparing a Flora of Pennsylvania and possibly neighbouring states; Brickel preparing a Flora Georgiana; himself compiling a description of indiginous Lancastrian plants but struggles with the cryptogamia class compounded by death of [Johann] Hedwig, anxious to see the relevant volume of "Flora Britannica". Gives brief descriptions of local species of 'Populus' to help Smith determine them.

As executor of Arthur Bruce's will sends Smith copy of the excerpt from it [on second folio, in a different hand] bequeathing Smith the whole of Bruce's herbarium. Short obituary of Bruce and further details of his will.

Observations on enclosed specimens: the true 'Cardamine parviflora' of Linnaeus; a specimen of the first moss he ever saw and which much puzzled him, a 'Gymostomum' like 'Davalli' but different. Has been arranging his Jungermannia and hopes to send specimens soon, along with 'Trichostomum rigidulum'. The specimen he sent as 'Dicranum ovale' identified. Observations on "difficult" moss 'G. browniana'.

Sends parcel of poplar and alder specimens to sketch, including polar flowers; Sowerby may find the birch near London, and should draw 'Betula nana' from a garden; will send poplar leaves in June from the same trees. Pleased the 'Cyamus' seed was in such good order, what he found agrees with Gaertner's figure. Returns Mr Lewis' letter and scheme of classes, his ideas "sensible but not new". Intends to buy [George] Don's "fasiculi" ["Herb. Britannicum" (1804-1812) ?] through Sowerby, though "out of regard to him only" as there is nothing he wants.

Approves of Sowerby's patterns for "Flora Graeca", though a correction is needed with colouring of 'Bromus'. Sowerby should use one or two of [Archibald] Menzies' species of 'Boronia', if they have retained their colour, for "Exotic botany", the rest to be engraved for Linnean Society. Does not think the patters for "Exotic botany" well coloured, except 'Diuris maculata'. Returns Sowerby's mineralogy manuscript. Sowerby's sketches from Don's specimens "excellent". [James] Crowe approves figure of 'Salix acuminata' in last "English botany"; he paid 6 guineas for Sowerby's microscope.