Notes on plants found on his summer tour of Cornwall: encloses seeds of 'Ligustrum cornubiensis', also has specimen of plant if desired; 'Genista pilosa', previously only known near Bury, growing amongst 'Erica vulgaris' on the soap rock near Lizard Point; 'Erica multiflora' on Goonhilly Downs near Helstone, universally with white flowers; offers specimens of soap rock.

Looks forward to personally paying his respects to Smith: his late brother [Sir John Cullum, 6th baronet (1733-1785)] often spoke of him and Lady Cullum says she is an old acquaintance.

Congratulates Smith on his marriage.

This letter has also signed by Cullum's wife, Mary [née Hanson (1745-1830)].

Disappointed by trip to Ramsgate, [Kent], and only stayed fourteen days; also visited Dover, [Kent], but too old to climb hills for 'Brassica oleracea'. Dr [Pelham] Warren [(1778-1835)] prescribed for Lady Cullum two grains of James's powder and two of rhubarb taken nightly, and neutral saline draughts. Attended Horticultural Society meeting; few in attendance but pines, grasses, peaches, and cherries dealt out. Called on a busy [Robert] Brown in Soho Square. Accusations against [Richard] Salisbury in the newspapers; he is to appear at the Old Bailey though Cullum imagines he will flee to Italy where his charges are "scarce reckoned any crime", informed he has resigned membership of Linnean, Royal, and Horticultural Societies. Thanks for plants of 'Lathyrus grandiflorus'. Comments on produce and prices at Covent Garden market produce, including gourds, Siberian crabs, elder berries, walnuts, and sloes; recalls when he importuned [James] Dickson to give an account of everything sold in the market with their names, uses, and prices.

Sends Smith copy of newspaper [not extant] reporting the incident involving "an unworthy member" of the Linnean Society [Richard Salisbury]. His son and family leaving for London and then Paris for winter for Mrs Cullum's health, against his recommendation of Bath, [Somerset]. Lady Cullum still suffering from an intermittent fever. Visited by Revd Dr Thomas Frognall Dibdin [(1776-1847)], author of "Bibliomania", "Decameron", and others, he is now working on a life of Thomas à Kempis [(c 1380-1471)]. Glad to hear of Mr Freeman, a young botanist, but laments to hear of so many persons being shot by "spring guns" placed in woods a botanist should not enter. Received specimen of 'Centaurea solstitialis' from Dr [William] Webb growing near St Edmund's Hill, Bury.

Offers copy of fourth volume of [Gaetano] Savi's "Botanicum Etruscum" just received from Revd Daniel Lysons [(1762-1834)]. Had not seen anything of "A.S." [Richard Salisbury] in the newspapers so Smith's account was new to him, until seeing report in the 24th October "Morning Herald" that "one of the confidential servants of the Turnham Green Cabbage Garden had decamped, after practicising a long series of frauds upon the pastoral simplicity of his employers" [Salisbury was involved with irregularities in the Horticultural Society's finances].

His sister Vernon has died, but like Sir George Baker [(1723-1809)] "easily and apparently [...] free from pain". Planning to attend Royal Society Charter Day, Horticultural Society, and Linnean Club meetings. His son and family in Paris but doubts he will see Mrs Cullum alive again, they intend to go on to Rome or Pisa.

Attended two Linnean Society meetings with [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert in chair. Attended Horticultural Society anniversary meeting but few members attended as they were electing new officers; a breakfast and general display of flowers and fruit is being held at Chiswick on 30th June. Davies Gilbert in chair at Royal Society meeting last night, after the readings they now retire to the library for tea and to view specimens of nature or art laid on a table. Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] at Linnean Club at Thatched House Tavern, alarmed by how ill he looks.

Lady Cullum never free from her "teazing fever", though she has been treated by Dr [Pelham] Warren [(1778-1835)] and Sir Henry Halford [(1766-1844)]. Was not at the [Horticultual Society's] disastrous public breakfast in Chiswick; it was left to one man to provide an afternoon breakfast for 3000 people. Intends to return to London shortly. Death of Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough]. Informed that his old schoolfellow Mr Baker of Portland Place and Orsett, Essex, has left his wife £15,000 per year, her name was Trafford. Purchased account given by committee of the intended London University, notes that William Jackson Hooker is appointed lecturer in Botany and Vegetable Physiology.

Consulted Mr Alexander on Smith's behalf for his eye complaint, he prescribes the "narcotic fomentation". Received letter from [John] Latham that he is to produce an index for his ["A general history of birds"]. Laments death of Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough].

[Note in Smith's hand detailing his reply of 10 September] enquiring of Mr Alexander if he can apply "camph. sp. of wine as heretofore, with cold water afterwards" to his rheumatic eye.

Mr Alexander has left London for a fortnight so he could not consult him further for Smith's eye complaint.

Requests letters of introduction and recommendations of interesting places his eldest son's solo excursion to Scotland. Has heard [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert is suffering from a bladder complaint. His legs are better since last time Smith saw him and shortly intends a trip into Yorkshire as far as Wakefield, and will include a visit to [Richard] Salisbury.

Glad to hear that Smith attended the musical festival at Norwich. Does not think Mr Alexander's hurried advice could have done Smith's eye much benefit. Lady Cullum visited Mrs [Catherine] Lambert in London, she is confined to bed having lost the use of one side of her body and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert is in Wiltshire and attended the annual meeting of "literati" at Sir [Richard] Colt Hoare's. Attended Horticultural Society meeting; there were numerous apples and pears and a "magnificent" number of species and varietites of 'Dahlia', and in Covent Garden market Coe's plum or the golden drop are selling three shillings a dozen. London weather prevented him from going to the Chiswick garden. [John] Latham publishing an index to his "General History of Birds". Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough's] death gave him much cause for concern, and shocked at how few members of the Linnean Society from 1788 and 1789 are still alive.

In footnote Mary Cullum sends her good wishes to the Smiths.

Pleased by the visit of Smith's relation, Frederick Smith. [Thomas] Lister Parker [(1779-1858), antiquary] visited and mentioned the "great pine", believes branches and cones have been sent to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Wishes her husband [Sir James Edward Smith] and himself had been young and well enough to attend first meetings of the season of the Horticultural, Linnean, and Royal Societies. His son and family are to winter at Nice but concerned that from [Thomas] Martyn's report of the weather in Nice in his "Tour through Italy" (1787) it will not help the ill Mrs Cullum. Returns basket with young pheasant.

Thanks for fourth volume of "English Flora". Intends to stay in London till the Linnean Society anniversary meeting as the meetings of other societies and London dining hours are too late. Death of Daniel Moore FLS of Lincoln's Inn. Astonished by sudden disappearance of Mr Simmons of Paddington House, wonders if his flight was caused by ruinous speculation; recalls that Sir William Adams [(1783-1827)] the oculist committed suicide after being ruined by speculating in Mexican mines. Mrs Cullum possibly return to England with his son this summer.

A note at the end states that this letter was erroneously dated Monday 17 April 1828; it should have been written 17 March 1828.

Death of her husband [Sir James Edward Smith] always in their thoughts; glad she stayed with her aunts in Saxmundham, [Suffolk]. Hopes the Linnean Society will agree to purchase Smith's library and museum. His son and daughter-in-law have returned to Hardwick House, [Suffolk], but her ill health means they are to winter in a milder climate again. Invites Lady Smith to visit during the winter.

Concerned at account given of Smith's health and her rheumatism, which he has been suffering from himself. Lady Cullum cannot get rid of her nervous intermittent fever despite advice of [Willam George] Maton and Sir Henry Halford [(1766-1844), physician]. Surprised to see [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, who has had such delicate health for last thirty-six years, at public meetings and dining with friends at home every day. His son and family spending winter in Paris and summer in Rome or Nice. Regarding negotiations for Linnean Society's purchase of [Sir James Edward Smith's] museum suggests compiling of a catalogue and that three valuers are appointed, one each by Smith and Society and another by both. Mr Oakes the banker died this morning.

Death of his [second] son and approaching death of his sister, Mrs Palmer. His eldest son and family to stay in Paris for winter as Mrs Cullum still very ill. Compares Bury and its archery, cricket, and horticultural meetings, to Norwich and its having always been "famous, for flowers & gardens". Saw Smith's name as a subscriber to the Norwich Museum. Glad Smith has settled with the Linnean Society [purchase of Sir James Edward Smith's collections], with assistance of [Edward] Forster and himself for advice in establishing a fund for the purchase.

Sir Thomas Frankland would send any letters of her husband's [Sir James Edward Smith] if he had them; he has been nervously ill for ten years and almost lost the use of his limbs. Glad the Linnean Society took on his plan [fund for purchase of Smith's collections by Linnean Society], subscribed £100 himself, and Lloyd £500. Believes he has lost or mislaid some of Smith's letters but did not destroy any, will collect them when next in Bury. Brief account of visit from General [Thomas] Hardwicke. Frequently sees [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Family deaths: his second son died suddenly last August, and his sister Mrs Palmer died a few weeks afterwards at ninety-one years old. Eldest son has a sixteen years old daughter [Susannah Arethusa Cullum], his deceased son no children.

His wife died 13 September of the intermittent fever she had suffered for last seven years, she was attended by Dr Probart and Dr Smith, and his in Rome unaware of the news as letters take a month. Did not burn any of her husbands letter [Sir James Edward Smith], though it will time consuming to collect them. Praises Dawson Turner.

In postscript writes that he just received a China vase from Dresden without any damage, would like Turner to confirm the genus and species of the moss it was packed with.

Death of his father, [Sir Thomas Gery Cullum], on evening of the Coronation Day [of William IV, 8 September 1831]. Notes that September appears ill fated to him, having lost his aunt Mrs Palmer on 12th, his mother on 13th, and now his father on the 8th.

Recently returned home from Yorkshire but his prevented him from making any botanical excursions. Saw [Richard] Salisbury at Fetherstone, near Pomfret [Pontefract], he intends to move to London within two years. Found 'Lythrum hyssopifolium' at Alconbury Hill and a 'Mentha' which he encloses for Smith's revision of that genus, thinks it closest to [William] Sole's 'Mentha pratensis' but without the strong smell of peppermint. Invites Smiths to visit them for the Bury Fair, saw Smith's brother at Wakefield.

Postscript note: "'Thlaspi campestre' an 'Thlaspi' vaccariae folio glabrum Raii [John Ray]".