Is sorry to read in the papers the news of the death of William Herschel. Had he been near he would have liked to have attended the funeral.
Forwards letters to SmithEncloses letters [not extant]. Invited to Royal Academy dinner, suspects the invitation is due to Smith.
Signed [William Fitt] Drake's Linnean Society nomination certificate and sent on to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Just received [William Jackson] Hooker's "interesting" work on Iceland ["Journal of a tour in Iceland" (1809)]. Sent oysters.
Arrived at Rose Castle, [Cumberland], after 5 days "tedious" travel on account of invalids. Has long been wanting to write to Smith about the "variety of portentous matters which have lately engaged all men's minds". His extreme busyness.
Corrected Smith's papers. Tried to see Lord Sidmouth [Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757-1844)], advises Smith to write to him "without delay" [presumably in reference to Smith's Cambridge botany professor campaign].
Hopes to see Smith in London. Details of Mrs Stoddard's case regarding dispute over manor of Kirkland, [Cumberland]. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert in London and in much better condition than he expected; he has been in a "most alarming mental state". His plan for binding "English botany".
Just returned from Oxford address; unable to attend Linnean Society on 7 May due to prior engagement.
Forwarded Smith's letter to Mr Napier. Pleased Smith will be at Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Hears from [Alexander] MacLeay that [Thomas] Marsham is unwell; hopes this is not a ruse to avoid payment of the money Marsham owes the Society. Smith's information about [Edward] Rudge "without a shadow of foundation".
Thanks for turkey. Prefers [James] Bicheno's appointment as Linnean Society secretary, as [Robert] Brown has "an invincible objection to reading aloud in public", and additionally if Brown is chose the Society will be "thrown into the lap" of the Horticultural Society, which he strongly opposes.
Has had a sharp fit of gout in his right hand. Hopes Smith liked his last alterations [probably to Smith's Latin]. Sees that Smith has "pacified [George] Don at once, he appears to be a most valuable correspondent", disusses Don's 'Carex' specimens. Hopes to be in London by 10 January [1809].
Uncertain where to forward [George] Don's late "lucubrations" to Smith. Finds that 'Bromus racemosus' is the most common grass in his fields, and has 'Hieracium murorum' growing upon the walls of Rose Castle; offers to send specimen to [James] Sowerby.
When reading in [George] Don's letters he is struck with "the simplicity of his style, & the acuteness of his remarks". Hopes to hear from Smith soon, wishes he would visit "this retired Philosophical spot"; one of the area's two botanists brought him specimens of 'Rubus sylvaticus' and 'Cistus heliantheum' to have planted in the garden, fears he lost his botanical standing by confusing the 'Cistus' with 'Vaccinium'.
"What an indefatigable creature is this [George] Don?". Asks if Don is right about 'Agrostis arundinacea', thinks it may be an 'Arundo epigeios'; 'Thlaspi hirtum' and 'T. incanum' appear distinct. Invites Smith to visit in August; has just discovered a botanist in his neighbourhood who is a Cambridge man and may prove more than an amateur, of which he already has two.
Constantly reminded of Smith by his "very assiduous & ever-to-be-encouraged correspondent Mr G[eorge] Don". Made to doubt his own knowledge after seeing Don's "acute observations", and wonder "where have all these things lain since the days of Adam, that no one should have noticed them before". Does not wish for Smith to be charged for any of [the Don letters and plant specimens]. Eagerly awaiting confirmation of Smith's visit.
"Wonderful [George] Don! What things he finds!", will forward letter to Norwich. 'Sedum ochroleucum' just on point of flowering and the two carnations growing well. Lists the rarities in his garden, in hope of tempting Smith to visit Rose Castle: 'Orobus sylvaticus', 'Alchemilla alpina', 'Campanula rotundifolia' (Scotch variety), 'Vaccinium oxycoccos', 'Sedum ochroleucum', 'Eryngium alpinum', 'Hieracium mucorum'.
Sends two more packets from "the wonderful man" [George Don], thinks Don's 'Rosa glauca' should be named 'Rosa sanguisorbifolia' on account of the leaf. His field containing 'Galium witheringii' has been mowed but will search for more and send to [James] Sowerby if successful, did not realise it was so rare to Smith.
On first looking at the 'Rosa glauca' he thought it had the exact leaf of 'Sanguisorba officinalis'.
"Indefatigable" [George] Don sends Smith "packet after packet of rich stores". Don wants his [Goodenough] opinion on his new 'Avena pubescens' but will submit to Smith instead. All is quiet in this neighbourhood now; the "riots & murders in this part of the world originated in those shameful Parliamentary speeches we have heard of late, and in the intemperate conduct of our Magistrates".
Separate note on identifying features of enclosed specimens.
Three specimens of 'Avena'.
He is busy with ordinations, confirmations, and visitations. Hopes Smith is well.
Forwarding packets [from George Don], from his comfortable retreat; London much busier than usual this year. Comments on how "indefatigable" [George] Don is, "there is no end to his researches", and "would almost suspect that he had sowed seeds of foreigners". Thinks Don mistaken with his 'Anthoxanthum'.
Mr Holme has arrived here and brought 'Rosa rubella' of "English botany" and 'Cistus marifolius', Holme originally though latter was two species, 'C. marifolius' and C. polifolius'; observations on characteristics.
Sends two plants from [George] Don; cannot work out the 'Anthemis', which is near 'A. cotula', and asks if the 'Atriplex' is 'A. alba' of Gmelin.
Encloses fruit of 'Rosa rubella' at request of Mr Holme. Asks Smith's opinion on news from Europe and whether the "step of Austria" will end the war. Query on calyx of 'Rosa rubella' constant?". Suffering from gout in his left arm and hand.