Encloses letters for Smith detailing a disagreement concerning Smith's niece [apparently concerning a situation for her as a governess].

Acknowledges that the agreement between his niece and the Brandreths was as complete as possible [apparently for a situation as governess] but was unaware of recent developments; he had been commissioned to find a situation for her and was dissatisfied by "the Paris scheme". Upset by attack on his moral principles [crossed out].

Acknowledges that Miss Smith [Smith's niece] "wholly responsible" for "unhandsome conduct" used towards them; apologises to Smith for letter he sent [disagreement over finding her a situation as a governess].

Unable to go to London tomorrow as he is suffering from one of his "old inflammatory attacks on the lungs", but hopes to be well enough to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting by staying at Mr [Thomas] Forster's in Hackney, [Middlesex], for a week beforehand. [Thomas] Brightwell [(1787-1868), entomologist] will attend Society on Tuesday to be admitted, will bring [Joseph] Sabine's paper.

Addresses Smith as Chair of the Committee of the Bristol Institution. Aware of Smith's offer to lecture through his letter to Revd M Maurice but forced to decline it as their programme for spring is already full and they would not be able to guarantee proper support for an additional course of lectures. Will communicate with Smith about lecturing in the autumn or next spring.

Bristol Institution thanks Smith for his good wishes; usefulness of the Institution. Responds to Smith's queries about botanical part of a course of lectures held at the Institution; an application for second course rejected.

Invites Smith to lecture at the Bristol Institution next spring; requests terms. Smith can obtain plants for demonstration from nursery garden of Mr Miller, late of Sweets & Miller, just outside Bristol; his collection of hardy and tender exotic plants equals any for sale.

Accepts invitation to lecture at Bristol Institution. Proposes that they begin after 13 June, following his London Institution lectures and completion of Linnean Society business; he is being paid 100 guineas for 10 lectures at London Institution; prefers to give 3 lectures a week; other requirements, including complimentary tickets. Warns that all is dependent on his "uncertain health", a residence in London frequently brings on his pulmonary inflammation.

Invites Smith and his party to Ham Green, following the completion of his lectures [at the Bristol Institution].

After consultation with [James] Bicheno believes that the Linnean Society should continue using bonds to ensure receipt of Linnean Society membership dues over any other security; comparison of notes and bonds; proposes that membership dues are paid a year in advance, on pain of suspended membership.

All disappointed not to see Smith on 7 [May 1822], Linnean Society Council meeting adjourned until 21 May in the hope that Smith can attend. New FMLS elected.

Complains that Lawson's letter had no address or date, but informs him the Linnean Society "will always receive gratefully any communications relative to Nat[ura]l History", and assures Lawson that as long as there is "nothing unpleasantly controversial to Mr [Robert] Brown" all criticism is welcomed. Thanks Lawson for his good opinion of his performances [probably Smith's lectures].

[Unclear if this letter reached its destination]

He has been at home since middle of June and had recovered his health and strength until contracting a severe case of cholera, "very prevalent here"; hoping to recover his strength at Lowestoft, [Suffolk], before going onto Birmingham, [Warwickshire], to give another course of lectures at the Institution, beginning 16 September [1822]. Following this will visit Holkham [Hall, Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]. Suggests Macleay come to Norfolk in late autumn.

"There is no end of strange & awful events in the history of our times", comments on deaths of Lord Londonderry [Robert Stewart, 2nd Marquess of Londonderry (1769-1822), statesman, committed suicide], and Mrs [Charlotte] Lynn [daughter of Samuel Goodenough, died suddenly].

Thanks for Smith's letter of 20 [August 1822], happy to hear of his recovery from cholera attack. His summer plans disrupted, hopes to see Smith in London before he can go to Norwich. Sent Smith's letter for "Linnean Transactions" to the printer but uncertain what title to give it.

Fate of Lord Londonderry [Robert Stewart, 2nd Marquess of Londonderry (1769-1822), statesman, committed suicide] "has indeed been a sad one", feels he has lost a friend. Did not realise Mrs [Charlotte] Lynn's [daughter of Samuel Goodenough] death was sudden, Mrs Macleay's sister also died suddenly.

Sends collection of plants collected in the local vicinity this year, for Smith to return with their proper names affixed. Under Smith's obligation as author to his "Introduction to Botany"; apologises for the request.

Thanks the "highly useful book", which will renew her knowledge of English botany [probably "English Flora"]; she will endeavour to give her protege, Miss Lawton, a taste for botany. Her aspiration after fame grows stronger in "the evening" of her life; determined to "attain celebrity" as a writer.

Encloses specimen of a plant used as a febrifuge when taken with peppercorns and water; observations, the people call it "Nye". Their garden not thriving on account of bad soil and lack of a well; a few of the seeds Wallich sent have germinated, listed; hopes for more success next year when the well is completed. Discusses plants to grow.

[Spec 10 written in pencil at top of verso of first folio]

Encloses dried specimens of the rye; when in flower will make magnified drawing of the corolla. The garden more ordered now though unsure how long they will remain here. Asks for the name of the "Malay Tree" which distills a "pure liquid like water" when the branches are cut. Seeds damaged by the rains. Cuttings from his plant of 'Neicum grandiflosum' thrive well.

Thanks for plants, especially the mosses and ferns, her "peculiar favourites". Hope they will meet Lady [Pleasance] Smith in the spring. Wishes Smith could admire the flowers in her garden. Hopes the translation of Jussieu is not suspended; eager to see him in "an English dress".

[Postscript by Susan E Corrie, daughter of Susan Corrie]: thanks Smith for his remembrance of them; they read his book every night.

Thanks for "English Flora". Her health. Asks if the orchids 'Ophrys apifera' and its relatives are confined to the northern hemisphere or are also found in the tropics.