Thinks it wise for Mr Nortcut to delay his candidature at Royal Society until communicating a paper to them, to preclude "all fear of an unfavourable decision by ballot". Comments on winter weather.

Sending copies of his "Lichenographiae Svecicae prodromus" to Linnean Society, in honour of Linnaeus, and to Sir Joseph Banks and [Jonas] Dryander; details of the work, including species named after Smith. Offers to send lichen specimens. [Adam] Afzelius has safely returned to his native country [Sweden].

Sending first part of second volume of his "Species plantarum", asks if Smith received the first volume and diploma of Society of Natural Scientists. Was unaware that Smith had named a genus 'Persoonia', in honour of [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon; he also named a genus after Persoon in his "Species plantarum", proposes alternative 'Marshallia' for his, in honour of L B Marshall of Biberstein. Sending article from "Transactions of the Natural Scientists".

Sending second part of second volume of his edition of "Species plantarum", containing classes 'Dodecandria', 'Icosandria', and 'Polyandria'. Third volume, to follow shortly, will contain 'Didynamia', 'Tetredynamia', and 'Monadelphia'. Discusses various species of 'Carex' still under dispute, including 'Carex montana', 'C. leporina', 'C. canescens', 'C. globularis', 'C. ovalis', 'C. paradoxa', 'C. dioica', 'C. reflexa'.

Has sent Smith the requested specimens of 'Clara' from Bolart's herbarium, which is rapidly decaying. Eager to see [William] Sole's mints ['Mentha'], at present cannot follow his descriptions and would be pleased to see some of his plants reduced "to a more subordinate rank than that of species". Discussion of 'Campanula': considers a variety of 'Campanula rotundifolia' in Oxford Botanic Garden to be 'Campanula rhomboidea' on account of leaves; asks Smith's familiarity with 'Campanula mollis', named by [John] Sibthorp 'C. rupestris'. Received roots of 'Eriocaulon' from northern England, unsure what trivial name to give the species. [James] Sowerby's 'Polygonum bistortum'. Grateful to Smith for gathering the 'Statice' of the Norfolk coast. Requests seeds of 'Melampyrum cristatum' and others, and specimens of new 'Orobanche' except 'Orobanche elatior'.

[John] Sibthorp's "Flora Graeca" materials are ready for Smith to collect from Oxford.

Received Smith's parcel as he was leaving for Bulstrode [home of Duke of Portland in Buckinghamshire]. Discussion of 'Carex': has not been able to run through Smith's synonyms; there are two synonyms referred to in [Pier Antonio] Micheli's [(1679-1737)] plate which Goodenough quoted for 'C. rigida'; believes Smith's 'C. binervis' grows near Hastings, Sussex, had always thought it different from 'C. distans'; Smith's 'C. micheliana' "a good species"; asks Smith to rename his 'C. vesicaria' as there are "cogent reasons" for the existing 'C. vesicaria' name; believes Linnaeus' 'C. vesicara' was 'C. sylvatica'. Astonished that [Robert John] Thornton's [(c 1768-1837), physician and writer on botany] work is now printing ["A new illustration of the sexual system of Linnaeus"]. Desperate for Smith's "Flora [Britannica]" to come out; believes under Smith's "correct auspices [botany will] stride on to perfection". Sending Smith's corrected manuscripts to [John] White [publisher] but asks who "Hull." often quoted by Smith is; suggests alternatives for the words "scrotiforme" and "genitalia" to spare Smith's "character for delicacy". Eager for Scottish specimens of Smith's new 'Carex' species, particularly 'Carex incurva'.

On verso of second folio Goodenough notes that "Enchiridion" would be a good name for Smith's "Epitome" but as there is already a work under that title suggests "Synopsis" instead.

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.

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]".

Received visit from [Thomas] Marsham who says the 'Mentha' he sent Smith is 'Mentha sativa'; asks how figure in "English Botany" 448 resembles no.21 in [William] Sole's book ["Menthae Britannicae"]. Does not think Sole is a very skilled botanist, pointing out that Sole considers Dr [John] Hill [(c 1716-1775)] one of the first botanists. Hopes Smith received the parcel of Scottish plants sent by his son from Mr Bruce.

Hears "Flora Britannica" progresses well, recommends providing a reference for plants also appearing in "English Botany". Revd [Henry John] Wollaston has seen 'Senecio paludosus' growing abundantly in ditches near Brayford Water near Lincoln and at Nocton Fen on banks of River Witham leading to Boston, [Lincolnshire], proposes him as a FLS. Lately received letter from [Samuel] Goodenough. Dr [George] Shaw's 'Bradypus ursinus' was exhibited during the Bury Fair; agrees with [Thomas] Bewick's "Quadrupeds" that it is of the genus 'Ursus' and the animal in Bury is male whereas that shown in [Holborn] was a female, makes brief observations, in Latin.

Has so much work at the moment that he is glad to write as few letters as possible. Received the parcel of Scottish plants sent via Cullum's son though its contents not very important. The 'Mentha' Cullum sent is a small variety of the 'Mentha sativa' figured in "English Botany", agrees with Cullum's opinion [of the inferior botanical merits of William Sole]. Cannot adopt Cullum's proposal to reference "English Botany" plants in "Flora Britannica" as it already printing, objects to anticipating references, and intends to publish a pocket "Epitome" on an original plan of his own. Thanks for [Henry John] Wollaston's habitats for 'Senecio paludosus'. Does not agree with Cullum about 'Bradypus ursinus'. Beginning "Flora Graeca" next year. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert recovered slightly.

Edmund Davall left his herbarium to Smith. Sending Smith's letters and other papers.