Grief at death of Lady Rockingham [Mary Watson-Wentworth]. Mrs [Pleasance] Smith regrets that she never knew her personally. They saw the death notice in the Norwich paper the evening after sending box of apples and biscuits. Preparing a general account of Lady Rockingham for the "Monthly Magazine" and asks her age, presumes she will be buried in York Minster.

Apologises for not replying to L'Héritier's letter sooner, has been in country at [Richard] Salisbury's and at Oxford with Sir Joseph Banks and [Jonas] Dryander looking over [John] Sibthorp's plants and drawings, which are "very fine" and will raise Sibthorp's name from "botanical infamy to very high botanical honour". Thanks for 'Sida' specimens: his 'S. paniculata' "certainly right", has not yet found 'S. arborea' owing to confusion of young Linnaeus' herbarium, remarks on 'S. americana', and L'Héritier's 'S. ricinoides', 'S. aphyllantha', and 'S. cistiflora' appear to be new.

A letter from Sir James Edward Smith, Norwich, [Norfolk], to Étienne Pierre Ventenat

Introduces [George Wilson] Meadley [(1774-1818)] of Bishop's Wearmouth, [Sunderland], friend of Thomas [Furly] Forster and author of a life of Algernon Sidney, and a life of Paley. Congratulates Turner on birth of another son.

List of manuscripts and letters to be translated by Gurney.

Arrived safely at Hafod and gives details of his journey from Gloucestershire, including visit to Gloucester cathedral, overnight stay at Abergavenny, and Welsh hospitality. His patient, Mariamne Johnes, "looks more healthy than last year"; the "projection of her back is rounder, not sharp" with no appearance of any matter making its way out as feared, and the machine has "done wonders" and though its maker, Jones, has managed her well he is a drunkard. Mr Tait, an architect, is staying.

[Letter incomplete: text missing, presumed destroyed]

Enjoyed John Shepherd's [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] Norwich visit. Imparts news of the Taylors. Impressed with Shepherd's observational skills, having identified weeds in his garden as 'Sagittaria', 'Mecurialis annua', 'Potamogeton densum', and several others. Shepherd has promised to supply Roscoe's garden with Norfolk 'Verbascum pulverulentum', 'Verbascum triste' ("Flora Graeca"), and Lily of the Valley from seed gathered in local woods. Believes Shepherd's correspondence with Lady [Amelia] Hume and Lady de Clifford [Sophia Southwell] will be "mutually useful". Asks Roscoe's opinion on Latin declination of name "de Medicio, Mediceorum".

Disappointment of [Thomas William] Coke and his friends at the "rancour of the Norw[ic]h mob" against Coke [and the Corn-Law, which has made a second appearance; it originates solely in the corn-bill, and as he is a great corn grower he has become a target even though he is in favour of free export and import; concludes Coke is not safe in Norwich, and he is taking action against a "most diabolical handbill".

Lord [Thomas, 1st Viscount Anson (1769-1818)] and Lady [Anne Margaret (1779-1843)] Anson left London suddenly to attend their 9 year old son, reportedly dying. He came to London on 22 May and was unanimously elected Linnean Society president for the thirtieth time; Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley made the Society drink his health twice. Intends to attend last Linnean Society meeting on 17 June and possibly the opening of Waterloo Bridge on 18 June, and will spend the rest of summer in Norwich with visits to Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Coke], and Lowestoft, [Suffolk]. Sent dried plants by waggon from Norwich on 23 May [for Liverpool Botanic Garden herbarium]. Glad Roscoe likes [Aylmer Bourke] and [Catherine] Lambert; "she is very pleasing". Sir Joseph Banks presided at Royal Society and club, he is lame but well. Asks after payment for plants.

Replies to Roscoe's letter of 18 November. Recovered from the most obstinate bowel complaint he has ever had, which confined him for three weeks. His hard work on [Abraham Rees'] "Cyclopedia", which is now coming to a close, prevents him from saying much on the "sad loss" of the Princess [Charlotte (1796-1817), only child of the Prince Regent]; wonders at possibility of a subscription for a national memorial, as with Waterloo subscription, with a school attached.

Congratulates Roscoe on opening of the Liverpool [Royal] Institution; anxious to see Roscoe's lecture in print; he and Mr Valpy do not know of anyone for the [Classical] tutor. Depending on his engagements accepts Roscoe's proposal [for Smith to lecture on botany]. Coke family "much shocked" by the sudden death of Lady [Elizabeth] Albemarle [(d 1815), first wife of William Charles Keppel, 4th Earl of Albemarle (1772-1849)] at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke], from a miscarriage. Glad that Franklin's letters have been published.

Describes his return journey from Liverpool, which included a stop at Matlock, [Derbyshire], to climb on Cromford Moor, "often celebrated in "English Botany"", for the first time since 1792; saw many lichens but concludes the dry summer has prevented their fructification. Has informed [Thomas William] Coke about Roscoe's intended visit. The Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North] delighted by his Cambridge pamphlet; finds it curious that four Oxford bishops approve of his candidacy for Cambridge botany professorship.

Received a "curious work" by Sprengel ["Plantarum Umbelliferarum" (1813)] in which 'Umbelliferae' is reformed as successfully as 'Scitamineae' was by Roscoe; transcribes a Greek quote referring to himself. Encloses packet of New Holland fern seeds. Lists stipulations if the [Liverpool Royal] Institution should invite him to lecture again, would also stay two months to study the Botanic Garden for a long held project on garden plants.

[Letter possibly incomplete: no signature or valediction]

Visiting Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley], who is anxious to correspond with Roscoe and [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] and have them visit his botanic garden; Mountnorris has a large collection of hardy and other plants not at Liverpool, but lacks 'Scitamineae', so it could be a mutually beneficial correspondence, in addition he corresponds with [Nathaniel] Wallich and has excellent plants from Brazil, including 'Orchideae'. Mountnorris has sent, for Roscoe's examination and use, drawings made for him by Indian artists on banks of the Gogra in Lucknow, on the frontiers of Nepal, including 'Zingiber', 'Alpinia' and 'Matonia'. Wishes that a new 'Scitamineae' genus could be found to be named 'Anneslaea'.

Pleased to hear of Roscoe's work at Holkham [cataloguing Thomas William Coke's manuscript collection] and his plan to visit them in Norwich; proposes date so that he can meet the Fountaines and will also invite the Bishop [of Norwich, Henry Bathurst (c 1744-1837)] and the Southwells. Asks whether the Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)] is visiting Holkham and if they will attend the Fox dinner at Norwich. Busy with [Albrecht von] Haller's [(1708-1777), botanist] "very curious" letters to Linnaeus [for "A selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus.." (1821)]. Received "chests upon chests" of dried plants from [Nathaniel] Wallich, he speaks highly of Roscoe. Regards to Coke's family.

Waiting to hear from Samuel Taylor whether he can take on Roscoe's son, James, as student of farming, as he has just taken on another pupil. Glad Roscoe received books. [William Fitt] Drake became severely ill with inflammation of lungs and fever after [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] left Norwich; very concerning on account of both his parents dying young of consumption and his being at a "critical age"; his membership of the rifle corps has added to the anxiety, though thinks Drake will be safe from dangers of "idleness, a taste for drink, & low company" which face other young men.

Intends to publish third volume of his "Flora [Britannica]" soon; the "labour of the mosses was very great" and anticipates many corrections from "hardworking Germans", he knows no one who will follow his "systematic niceties". Flattered by Roscoe's praise of his "Tour of the Continent". Gives value for Columna's works, including prices paid by Sir Joseph Banks and [Edmund] Davall, whose copies they are and which Smith is selling. They have begun work on Roscoe's herbarium but unsure of progress. His bust "much approved, & arrived very safe".

Visited Rev [John] Mitford, " a most liberal clergyman, learned & accomplished, a great friend of liberty, & a venerator of [Roscoe] & all [his] works", whilst staying with Lady [Pleasance] Smith's aunt in Saxmundham, [Suffolk]; he has a "choice garden" and a fine library, and is an elegant poet; offers Roscoe "important" papers on [Alexander] Pope.

Hopes to meet Roscoe at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke], where he can see Coke's "truly worthy lady" [Anne Amelia, nèe Keppel (1803-1844), Coke's recently married second wife]; dates for his intended visit; will attempt to introduce Mitford. Eager to discuss 'Scitamineae' plants with Roscoe. So pressed by his "[English] Flora" that he will have to work on the index at Holkham; currently on roses and briars.

Staying with Lady [Pleasance] Smith's aunt, whose house and garden is a "specimen of what one reads about in English novels of the best age, before the history of manners & character gave way to the picturesque or the frightful", although the journey caused his fever to return, which was treated with bleeding and James's powder.

Printing new editions of his "Compendium florae Britannicae" and "Introduction [to Botany]", and anticipates the continuation of "English Flora" to be "merely a pleasure & amusement". Resolved to limit his letter writing, "especially in reply to foolish schemes & questions about botany"; he is now being solicited about a Norwich Botanic Garden, certain it will not amount to anything. Criticises missing date in Roscoe's last letter.

Received from Paris "Annales de las Societe Linneenne de Paris", containing an eulogy of Broussonet. Corrêa has died at Lisbon; he had been a "little perverted by French botanists" and developed a "jealous twist" against Englishmen, especially Sir Joseph Banks.

Describes his travels since leaving Norwich on 30 April: stayed with Thomas Forster at Walthamstow and Edward Forster at Hale End, [both in Essex]; gave course of 10 lectures at the London Institution; saw the Coke family and Dr [Martin] Davy of Caius College, [Cambridge]; arrived in Bristol on 12 June but inflammation in his lungs recurred after his first three lectures, following treatment with James's powder, bleeding, and starvation resumed and completed lectures to a "brilliant & numerous" audience; staying in a cottage till end of September to regain his health. Finished third volume of his "[English] Flora". Heat in London prevented him from seeing Roscoe's son, Thomas, and the only exhibition or sight he saw was the King in the drawing room.

Looking over Roscoe's "great work" ["Mondandrian Plants"] with a botanical friend; very satisfied with it and eager to see all his species of 'Costus', which has previously been in complete disorder. No 'Amomum' amongst [Francis] Hamilton's drawings and collections; made use of own little-known ones in "Supplementum" to Rees' "Cyclopedia".

Unable to accept [Thomas William] Coke's recent invitation to Holkham, [Norfolk], as he needs to finish his "[English] Flora"; cannot write letters or attend to other people's concerns, either. Hopes to see Roscoe at Holkham and Norwich before winter sets in; already suffering from rheumatism. Suggests very great heat, drought, or starvation for 'Amomum granum paradisi' to flower.

Pestered with many letters, Roscoe's excepted. After returning to Norwich he will spend a fortnight finishing fourth volume of "English Flora", interrupted by Muscial Festival, and ending with a trip to Holkham where they expect to see Roscoe; he does not want to go later and encounter shooting parties and hopes to meet "a most amiable & accomplished young man of fortune, Mr Edw[ar]d Lombe, MP" [(1799-1852), landowner and philanthropist], who longs to know Roscoe.

Pleased Roscoe's ["Monandrian Plants"] has succeeded so well. Agrees with the character of 'Matonia' but discusses difficulty of establishing it over the 'Renealmia' established by Linnaeus, which he thought an 'Alpinia', and the new 'Renealmia' established by [Robert] Brown. Rejoices that in parting with 'Matonia' they can also legally get rid of 'Elettaria'; Decandolle, "with all his wrong-headed zeal", will not attempt to uphold this, though 'Elettaria' is an old name as he professes to keep all of Linnaeus' names, as 'Renealmia' is.

Thanks for Roscoe's sympathies. Suffering from rheumatism in his eyes, as last winter. Must soon continue work on "Flora Graeca". Never published a figure of 'Costus speciosus', though Jacquin has it in his "Icones [plantarum rariorum]", and he published the characters in "Linnean Transactions" vol 1[see RelatedMaterial below]. Roscoe's gardeners will make 'Costus speciosus' and 'Alpinia malaccensis' flower with great heat, drought, or starvation.

His brother[-in-law] Mr Martin has not succeeded. Pleased to hear Roscoe so close to end of his ["Monandrian Plants"], which is "one of the few really original, valuable & learned works in Botany that this age has seen"; wishes he could review it in Taylor's "Philosophical Magazine". "English Flora" nearly printed and about to start work on "Flora Graeca".

Debilitated by a low catarrhous complaint which ended in a serious and painful ophthalmia. Sorry Roscoe could not visit this year; he himself could not go to Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]. Glad Roscoe accedes to 'Renealmia', as Reneaulme "deserved a good genus"; has his "very curious" book which the [Bauhins] never quote, which is commented on by Linnaeus, should Roscoe also wish to.

Finished fourth volume of "English Flora" except for the printing, and now working on continuing "Flora Graeca"; hopes to reach the conclusion during the winter. His eyes have recovered. [Thomas William Coke] expecting them both to visit Holkham in the spring, Dawson Turner is currently there. Sorry to hear of Roscoe's health problems; his own.