Happy to hear Smith has recovered from his "long and severe indisposition". Asks of probability of Smith being in London before May. Asks after [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey's [(1781-1841), sculptor] bust of Smith. Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] in London, has had a slight attack of gout. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert unwell after one of his dogs went mad and bit three of his servants. Asks if Smith has seen new their new volume ["Linnean Transactions" vol 13 issue 2], which is "very thin" for want of matter. Asks if they are ever to receive any paper from Smith.

His campaign to be elected FLS: first attempt failed after certificate was signed by two FLS and an ALS, Dr Andrew Duneau; postponed trying again until gaining his medical degree, which having done so he was proposed by [Archibald] Menzies. Thanks for Smith's letters; he is soon to sail for Bombay.

Fears the specimen he sent last year of 'Stachys ambigua', gathered near Quorndon, Leicestershire, never reached Smith; offers to send it again. Pleased to see the "long promised" "English flora" is appearing, and that Smith "does not follow the example of this generation of expensive works by putting too high a price on the book".

Thanks for letter he received from Smith several years ago; had intended to periodically send Smith specimens of rare plants but could not carry this out to full effect. Feels himself "most deeply [Smith's] debtor", as should "every genuine admirer of British Botany, for the instruction and delight" Smith's works have afforded them over the years. Praises "English Botany" for its diction and beauty of its descriptions. Anxious and hopeful for "English flora".

Sending Lichens through his friend Mr Wigham, some recently collected. Several years ago received collection of Swedish roses from [Olof] Swartz, believes it is similar to one in Smith's possession; thinks the Swedish multiplied the number of their species too much beyond [Joseph] Woods "ingenious and useful paper on roses" for "Linnean Transactions", but nonetheless thinks very few of the enumerated British species are free from doubt on account of their numerous intermediate states. Observations on Swartz' roses: 'Rosa sarmentacea', 'R. swartziana', 'R. sepincola', 'R. dumetorum', 'R. agnestis', 'R. campestris', 'R. collina'.

Observations on the lichens he sent Smith some time ago: 'Lichen griffithii', 'Lecanora aipospila', 'Lecanora badia', 'Lecanora subfusca', 'Urceolaria cinecia', 'Verrucaria laevata', and 'Endocarpon euplocum'. [William] Borrer believes the lichen sent with 'Endocarpon euplocum' in 1811 is 'Pyrenula leucocephala' with sheilds of 'L. pruinatus' Dickson.

Printed list of plants, titled "Desiderata" in manuscript. Address label to "Dr Smith" in Winch's hand on recto of folio.

Reckons Smith amongst his "oldest and most valued friends"; about to marry; their new address, invites Smith to visit but hopes to see him in London before then; vouches for Smith's belief of botany as a "medium of communication with interesting and cultivated minds", it being instrumental in bringing him and his fiancée together. Recently called on [William] Roscoe who showed him "beautiful specimens" of his forthcoming work on 'Scitamineae'; believes Roscoe could have acquired more subscribers by making it more known.

Acknowledges on behalf of the Académie Royale des Sciences Smith's gift of the first two volumes of "The English Flora".

Disappointed to be in England but unable to visit Smith in Norwich, for second time. Sent by the Emperor Alexander [I of Russia (1777-1825)] to obtain living plants for the St Petersburg Imperial Botanic Garden; brief history of the garden; he only has three months before expected back at St Petersburg. Encloses paper for Smith from Jussieu. Hopeful he can start work on a "Flora Russica"

Thanks for turkey. Sir Abraham Hume has arrived in London from Brighton, following the King [George III (1738-1820)]. Much talk of [Robert] Sweet, [(1783-1835) botanist, was accused of receiving batch of plants stolen from Kew], trial is on the 18th [he was acquitted], [James] Colvill [(1777-1832) nurseryman who employed Sweet] very distressed. Mr Webb is considering taking [Mariano] Lagasca [y Segura] as an assistant. Pleased with progress of Smith's "Flora". Linnean Society membership growing fast. Last sheet of "Description of the genus Pinus" almost ready. [Charles Henry Bellenden] Ker [(c 1785-1871)] working in the Linnean Society library every day.

Recalls pleasure at gaining Smith's acquaintance at Cowes, [Isle of Wight], and sorrow at distance which prevents their meeting. Praises Smith's "English Flora" and his use of language, the 'Umbellate' plants "are surely now perfect". Passes on compliment from Mr P Duncan of New College, Oxford, on Smith's "Flora Britannica".

The work Smith is referring to is third edition of Candolle and Lamarck's "Flore Française" [(1815)]; corrects error in description of 'Rubus glandulosus'; uncertain if Smith's specimen is the same as their common plant; observations.

Settles accounts with Smith, including from Gurney and [John] Latham. Smith will have to reduce 'Tilia' to three species, as Bicheno has found 'T. grandifolia', 'T. parvifolia', and 'T. europaea' in Stokenchurch Woods, proving duplication of species has occured in other works, including Ray and Dillenius; observations. Discussion of 'Rubus rhamnifolius'; glad Smith found [Robert] Brown "so correct", he has just returned from his trip to Italy "much pleased". [Alexander] Macleay is returned from Caithness with his lame son, fears he will always be a "cripple".

[Note in Bicheno's hand] confirms Forster's account of his discovery of three 'Tilia' species in Stokenchurch Woods.

Asks for duplicate plants, especially Australian.

Apologises for long delay since receiving Smith's letter from Professor [Josef August] Schultes. Has been unable to find the 'Tilia' requested by Smith as he is too ill to go to the Stokenchurch area and it is not present in the Oxford Botanic Garden and there are no full specimens in Oxford herbaria. Describes another failed attempt to acquire it. The Botanic Garden has a plant of Mr Whitehead's 'Aconitum' but it is now too mature for Smith to obtain any information from a specimen.

Thanks for turkey. Mrs Goodenough and himself have been ill with the "epidemic cold" common in London, she was treated "very dextrously, & most humanely" by Dr [William George] Maton. Linnean Society council meeting called for Wednesday by [Alexander] Macleay but no indication of purpose; Wednesday also the general meeting for the National Schools so unsure of his attendance. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert just called on him "almost out of his wits" about the rarities brought from Mexico by [William] Bullock [(c 1780-1849), naturalist and antiquary] and Bullock's interviews with a great Spanish botanist, who escaped from the gallows of that country, and is the successor of D'Also "of great celebrity".

Thanks for the two volumes of "English Flora". Goodenough doubts the propriety of the Linnean Society opposing the new Asiatic Society's publication of descriptions of oriental productions to stop them from obtaining a charter as they would continue publishing without a charter, and in any case more publications excite more industry. Hopes [Alexander] Macleay did not propose it himself; suspects Joseph Sabine who is "warped by horticultural interests".

Sorry to hear Smith cannot come to London on 4 May. Spent the last three weeks confined with gout and the "epidemic cold". Sir James Graham of Netherby, his nearest Cumberland neighbour, has died after a ten day illness. [Alexander] Macleay has called a Linnean Society council meeting but not indicated its subject. Enjoying Smith's new work ["English Flora"], hopes to live to see the cryptogamia.

Sorry to hear Smith so unwell, offers to take the chair for Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Due to successively dine with [William George] Maton and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Recently saw Sir [Thomas] Cullum, he is in "blooming" health and forwarded Smith's note and enclosure to him. Lambert in dispute with Rodwell and Martin regarding new edition of his work on 'Pinus' and contemplating taken the matter to the Court of King's Bench.

Linnean Society anniversary meeting "went off most pleasantly" with at least ten more in attendance than last year. [William George] Maton, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, Sir Thomas Cullum, Provost of Eton [Joseph Goodall (1760-1840)], President of Horticultural Society [Thomas Andrew Knight], and [Walden Henry] Hanmer all attended but Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley did not. [William] Anderson [(1766-1846), Chelsea Physic Garden curator] exhibited some plants and [Robert] Brown attended the morning but did not dine. A small species of albatross, a penguin, and another aquatic bird were laid on the table. [Edward] Forster can inform Smith of the finances.

Informed by [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert that after the retirement of the company at the Linnean Society anniversary meeting dinner [Alexander] Macleay, Joseph Sabine, and others stayed in the room to make further speeches in spite of the numerous toasts made by Goodenough; thinks it copies "the habit of low societies [...] and utterly unworthy of the dignity of such a society as ours". Sabine has already given great offence after being chosen a member of their new club, the Athenaeum; did not invite Smith to join as he is so rarely in London but happy to propose him.