Having heard that Smith a very good collection of live willows requests specimens of the different species, so they can be drawn for her collection.

Arrangements for the Smiths visit to them in Clapton in a week.

In response to Smith's request transcribes an account he previously sent [Dawson] Turner on 'Fucus abrotanifolius' and 'F.discors' being the same species. Has specimens of various ages to send Smith if desired.

Received Smith's letter of 8 April [1808]. His military duties prevent him from pursuing his natural history interests; does not expect to stay in India for any longer than two years after hopefully taking command of the Artillery-in-the-Field, based at Cawnpore. Thanks for Smith's "Physiology and System of Botany"; believes it will prove a valuable and useful work. [William] Roxburgh working on his book; his arranging of 'Monandria' given extra impetus by [William] Roscoe's paper on same in "Linnean Transactions" vol 8.

Mr Fleming unlikely to leave India this year. Expects [Francis] Buchanan to make considerable additions to ichtyology and ornithology. Hopes Smith's family recovered from their sickness. Criticises the "marauders in the field of science". Compliments to Sir Joseph Banks, [Thomas] Marsham, [Alexander] Macleay, and [William George] Maton. Encloses memoranda from Dr [William] Hunter [see RelatedMaterial below].

Just returned from trip to Brighton, [Sussex]. Proposes to publish a quarterly journal on natural history covering all three brances; details of plan for Smith's opinion. Asks Smith to undertake the botanical section and recommend the whole to Longman and Rees [publishers].

Introduces himself to Smith on strength of his belief that all naturalists in the world should be in communication and promote their studies by exchanging materials and observations. He and Bivona both desire to establish a correspondence with Smith. Sends a fasciculus of his of 16 Sicilian plants [extant]. Publishing a work on new Sicilian genera and species, principally fish, zoophytes, and marine plants; will send copies to Smith and Linnean Society and sends plates of fish now [extant].

Requests to be proposed a FMLS or corresponding member. They intend to institute a Sicilian Linnean Society, modelled on the British one. Lists papers he would like published in England. Sending north American and Sicilian plants for comparison with Linnaean specimens, including 'Euphorbia myrsinites'.

"Fasciculus of 16 Sicilian plants", list of plants that will appear in the work [1 p].

Plates of 21 fish, uncoloured [7 pp].

Asks after his previous letter [25 May 1809], knowing that Smith responded to Bivona; forwarding letter and box of plants from Bivona to Smith. The work he was printing when he last wrote to Smith is delayed, his other planned works. Sends plates [extant] from one of them, “Fasciculus novae vel minus Cognitarum Siciliae plantarum”, with queries for Smith to answer.

Two uncoloured plates of plants.

Hopes Smith has received last parcel he sent by way of Yarmouth, [Norfolk]; it included most recent "Acta" from their Academy of Sciences. Glad to hear from [William Jackson] Hooker of Smith's good health; his own health is good. Relief and some trepidation at recent turn in political events [probably in reference to Sweden's defeat in Finnish War and Pomeranian War]. Keen to see ninth volume of "Linnean Transactions" and the papers on cryptogams, as they will be an addition to the "opsculi" he is working on, and which he believes is his last.

His friend, [Goran] Wahlenberg [(1780-1851), botanist], has almost finished his "Flora Lapponica"; remarks on increase in species.

Thanks for Smith's "delightful letter" of 11 March [1809] and Smith's sentiments concerning his fiancée. Pleased Smith was satisfied with the review of Smith's "Introduction to Botany" by his friend, [Henry] Steinhauer, who is now reviewing Parkinson's "Organic remains of a former world". Offers to translate review of the "Introduction" in Schrader's journal.

Recently found 'Galanthus nivalis' and 'Viola adorata' but no 'Anemone' or 'Ranunculus' has yet flowered with them. Remarks on various genera, including: 'Geranium', 'Erica', 'Smithia'. Asks if Smith ever received White's paper he sent on "Inflammation of the liver". Friends he has made through study of botany. Dispute with Sprengel over 'Aster salignus', which Sprengel sent as 'Boltonia salicifolia'; Sprengel's eccentricities regarding access to the Halle botanic garden.

He and his friends have proposed establishing a circulating library here, in spite of the narrow-mindedness of the locals, citing example of parents who were anxious at his teaching their children geography.

He and a friend have resolved to establish a botanic garden here; requests exotic seeds from Smith. Intends to visit the Liverpool botanic garden. Offers to translate review of Smith's "Introduction to Botany" in Schrader's journal. Asks after possibility of procuring Willdenow's edition of Linnaeus' "Species plantarum".

Requests Smith's support in his candidature for the [Trinity College, Dublin] botany professorship. Method of election and the other candidates, considers himself in a strong position.

Reminds Smith he previously sent flowering specimens 'Pterogonium sciuroides', after Smith remarked in figure of same in "English botany" the rarity of finding it so. Asks after publication of "Compendium florae britannicae".

Encloses specimens: possible new 'Saxifraga', observations; 'Euphorbia hibernica' in flowering spring state, Smith's "English botany" figure does not entirely accord with the Irish plant; a 'Juncus' from County Whiclow that grows to 7 or 8 feet high.

Asks if the Irish 'Arbutus unedo' is to ever appear in "English botany"; wishes he was a curator, as gentlemen's gardeners call themselves, so that he might have better interest with [James] Sowerby. Does not think the 'Hypericum calycinum' of "English botany" is indigenous to Ireland, [James Townsend] Mackay [(1775-1862), curator of Botanic Garden, Trinity College, Dublin] concurs; fears many such mistakes occur. Asks if Smith's new edition of "Introduction to Botany" contains new additions.

Asks if his bundle of Irish mosses is still unexplored, noticing that many are in "English botany" without mention of himself. 'Gnaphalium margaritaceum' common to Ireland.

Tried to call on Smith to discuss the 'Polypodium cristatum' he sent to [James] Sowerby and other dried specimens he now submits for inspection, inlcuding 'Aspidium cristatum'. Unfamiliar with [William] Withering's 'Polypodium spinulosum' but concludes that the "Holt-fern" is distinct and previously undiscovered in East Anglia, concern that its habitat may be destroyed within a few years by turf-cutters and the approaching banks of recent enclosures.

Thanks Smith for attention to his paper [probably on 'Juncus', see RelatedMaterial]. Thanks Smith for offer to interpose with [Edward] Donovan [(1768-1837), zoologist] who has accused Davies of falsity in a dispute over [Thomas] Pennant's "British Zoology", as well as criticising Samuel Goodenough's paper for "Linnean Transactions" on the "Porbeagle Shark". Sending a package containing: ten species of 'Salix' for identification; 'Schoenus rufus' and 'Festuca uniglumis' for Smith's friends; a 'Oenanthe' that differs from 'Oenanthe pimpinelloides'; some specimens of 'Potamogeton' previously mentioned; and two foreign ferns.

Sending Macleay one of this season's rare good turkies. Sends small piece of information for Linnean Society, assuming they are well supplied for papers. Intends to be in London for 21 March [1809], a month earlier than usual. Anxious to know whether [Erik] Acharius' lichens are now at the Linnean Society.

Has sent a package including specimens of 'Salix', a possible variation of 'Oenanthe pimpinelloides', and a 'Adiantum capillus-veneris' sent for the curiosity of where it grew. Encloses a fern [extant] omitted from the package. Thanks Smith for the prescription of ginger which has helped his health, however is now suffering from a severe bout of rheumatism. Asks whether he should be sea bathing for relief at the age of 70. Requests specimens of 'Daviesia umbellulata' and 'Daviesia corymbosa'.

Specimen of fern.

Cured his rheumatism, which had assumed the form of sciatica by applying a plaster of laurel leaves ('Prunus laurocerasus'). Asks Smith to not spend too much time determining the 'Salix' specimens he sent and makes some of his own observations on them.

Arrived back at Norwich 1 July [1809]. Informed by [Robert] Brown that the two species of 'Centrolepis' in [Edward] Rudge's paper ['Description of several Species of Plants from New Holland'], were stolen from Sir Joseph Banks' private herbarium, and do not grow in Port Jackson, [Sydney], as stated in the paper; Brown remarks that [Richard] Salisbury is "making a cat's paw of Rudge, to interfere with Brown's work"; certain that the specific characters are Salisbury's and "very uncouth, & a disgrace to our Transactions". Leaves it to Macleay and Brown to decide whether the paper should be suppressed or corrected.

Royal Institution would like Smith to give a course of twelve lectures on the "Philosophy of Natural History" for 60 guineas.

Encloses continuation of his paper, Macleay to expect more and paper from [William Jackson] Hooker for 21 November [1809]. Wishes [Robert] Brown would change name of his genus 'Josephia', named after Sir Joseph Banks, "it is not only against all rule, but in itself so foolish it must expose us to ridicule as well as blame", proposes 'Brunonia'.