Hopes to visit [Thomas William] Coke at Holkham, [Norfolk], in October after parliamentary election where they hope to return [Henry Peter] Brougham [first Baron Brougham and Vaux (1778-1868), lord chancellor] and [Thomas] Creevey [(1768-1838), politician]. Trearing his sprained knee with leeches and astringents, which will limit his outdoor pursuits but as Smith has no "voracious appetite" for this will be content with his company.

Looking forward to seeing Roscoe. Saw [Thomas William] Coke at Norwich Sessions Ball. William Smith won Norwich election; further details including failure of other party's "grossest avowed bribery" and changing candidates from Paterson to Harvey.

Plans for their visit to Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Coke]: proposes meeting Roscoe at Swaffham, [Norfolk], so they can arrive at Holkham together; his mother proposes that his sister, Mrs Martin, accompany Roscoe south before going onto Norwich; Dawson Turner will meet them at Holkham and they will also visit [Andrew] Fountaine at Narford, [Norfolk], to see his Raphael "pots & pans" and Italian manuscripts.

His sister Mrs Lloyd nearly well; he cares little for her husband. Recommends that Roscoe travels to Norfolk in his own chaise, as coaching across the country is "bad & tedious".

Prevented by his knee injury from joining Smith in his visit to Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]; suggests postponing until spring. Mortified by Liverpool election result.

Disappointed by Roscoe's postponement of Holkham [home of Thomas William Coke] visit and Liverpool election results; plans to devote himself to botany and hopes to see Roscoe at Holkham in the spring. His sorrow at Roscoe missing out on meeting Coke; praises his character. [Andrew] Fountaine has offered Roscoe the entire use of his Italian manuscripts copied at Florence, and opportunity to look over the finest collection of Raphael ware anywhere except at Loretto, [Italy].

His knee injury worse and confinement with rheumatism or lumbago across the "loins" prevents him from paying Smith and [Thomas William] Coke a Christmas visit. Has written and printed a review [see RelatedMaterial below] of [George] Canning's [(1770-1827), politician] Liverpool election speeches in response to his continual "attacks and sneers against all peaceable people". Repairs to his library and new additions, including a frieze in distemper by Michaelangelo under a picture of his master, Ghirlandaio.

Arrangements for visiting Smith. Criticises the writing of Dr [Walter ?] Wade and Mr Schmaltz [possibly Constantino Samuel Rafinesque-Schmaltz], particularly the latter's work on 'Verbena nodiflora'. First meeting of the Linnean Club taking place today.

Thanks for his election as an Honoray Member of the Linnean Society. Concerned to hear Smith forced to leave London through illness; may be prudent not to resume Royal Institution lectures.

Comments on "most execrable" figure 'Fontinalis capillacea' in recent "English botany"; account of specimens growing in one of his fir plantations along with [William] Borrer's 'Rivularia verticillata' and suppositions by [Dawson] Turner and others.

[Spec 6 written in pencil on verso of first folio]

His failing sight. Sends specimen of 'Fontinalis capillarca' to rectify his "former blunder"; apologises for his "censure" on [James] Sowerby. Discusses 'Sphagnum capillifolium'; observations.

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.

Requests Smith send to Wisbech, [Cambridgeshire], the books and drawings left in his custody. Visit Lincolnshire, will return to Wisbech via London.

Thanks for return of books and drawings. Ill-health prevented him from attending first Linnean Society meeting of the winter. Introduces Dr Heyne of the Madras establishment, a botanist. [William] Roxburgh "incessantly employed" in his botanical studies; recently acquired 'Strychnos colubrina'. Intends to return to India in the spring. Smith should expect "interesting botanical communications" from William Hunter, who accompanied the expedition to Java. Comments on Roxburgh's "clustered leaved" 'Pinus'.

Hopes to meet Smith at Linnean Society meeting of 7 [December]. Offering 200 specimens of Mauritius plants to Linnean Society, with descriptions; also collected woods and minerals but they are currently detained. Asks that Smith bring drawing of "a fine 'Malvaceous' tree with large yellow flowers"; observations; [William] Roxburgh unable to determine it; sending transcript of description he gave Roxburgh in 1810 [extant]. Description of 'Malvaceous' tree.

Thanks for seeds, delayed by [Friedrich Traugott] Pursh's printing of "Flora Americana". [Robert] Brown to visit before going onto Oxford, also visited by Sir George Staunton and [Thomas] Hardwicke. Comments on Smith's 'Magnolia' article in Rees' "Cyclopedia", has two drawings of Plumier's 'Magnolia'. Sends specimens of 'Silene' from Dover, [Kent], for Smith's opinion.

Lady Essex has taken up botany. He has never had so many new plants from foreign seeds, including Mexico. Much amused by second volume of Clark, though laments meddling of the booksellers.

["Spec 14" written in pencil at top of verso of first folio]

Received specimens of what appears to be 'Zannichellia [palustris]?', gathered from a Bradford canal by [Edward] Pigott [(fl 1790s-1800s)], a marine botanist; observations; wishes to know whether to forward it to [James] Sowerby. Asks after progress of "Flora Britannica" and "Flora Graeca". Invites criticism of his "Illustrationes Theophrasti".

Pleased to hear Smith's health is so much reestablished. He made a botanical tour of North Wales in the summer and has expanded his collections of marine and alpine plants, intends to examine them on his return to Bath, [Somerset].

Asks after the remaining "Flora Anglica" ["Flora Britannica"]; "there are such fluctuations in the Syst[emati]c Arrang[emen]t that retard [Smith's] progess" he fears it will be long time, though completion of "English botany" will much improve their botanical libraries, though it must always have an occassional supplementary volume. Intends to start work on pocket edition of his "Illustrationes Theophrasti" this winter.

Thanks Smith for information on 'Arenaria rubra' and seeds of the '[Aloexylum] agallochum', though her gardener does not think it will survive without a hothouse. Invites Smith to visit. If she can get a frank will enclose a plant from Mr Hempsted, a botanist friend who is currently staying.

Encloses specimen of Smith's 'Rosa spinosissima var. pedunculis aculeatis' for possible inclusion in "English botany"; observations, including differences with 'R. spinosissima'. Asks if Smith ever received his specimen of 'Fontinalis falcata'.

[Olof] Swartz has informed him he has found specimen of a 'Pyrola' of Rivinus and has named it 'P. chlorantha'; has a specimen of this doubtful specimen in his herbarium, gathered in Durham.

Has suffered from "a most fiery boil" on his nose for the last week. Intends to send a botanical paper for next Linnean Society meeting from [Constantine Samuel Rafinesque] Schmaltz of Palermo, [Sicily], once he has finished correcting the "ludicrous" English. Surprised and happy to see [Thomas] Marsham here in the autumn.

He and his nose better; like Macleay he is of "an inflammatory constitution, w[hi]ch requires care, but is better than a low one pronce to typhus, gangrene, cancer, & a long list of blue devils". Sent a turkey to Macleay. Will rejoice to join Macleay's club [probably Linnean Dining Club] "with all my heart". Hopes to bring his wife, [Pleasance Smith], to London in April, or sooner if they can visit the William Smith on the way.