Disappointed to not go to Norwich but was too busy during his visit to Cambridge to get away. Met [Edward Daniel] Clarke who travelled with [John Marten] Cripps [(1780-1853), traveller and antiquary] to the Crimea, met [Peter Simon] Pallas and purchased his herbarium and brought back a vast natural history collection, describes it in some detail including bust of Ceres. Has heard that the drawing of Mars and Venus omitted in the prints of the "Elogium Stultitiae" is now engraved in Veaux's French translation of "Elogium" printed at Basel in 1780 [French translation of Erasmus' "The Praise of Folly"]. The [Dublin] Botanic Garden now has 6000 plants.

Disappointed to not be able to join Smith and his family in Liverpool and missing the lectures. Invites Smith to come to Ireland after his stay in Liverpool. Mackay is on a botanising tour of County Cork. Enjoying the second volume of [William] Roscoe's "Leo" ["The Life of Lorenzo de' Medici"] but wishes there was a translation of the appendices.

Progress made in the establishment of a Botanic Garden, under the patronage of the Dublin Society and a Parliamentary committee headed by the Speaker of the [Irish] House of Commons, [John] Foster [(1740-1828) 1st Baron Oriel] , with a suitable ground for purchase being found. Description of the land, which once belonged to [Patrick] Delany [(1686-1768) writer] and was frequented by Jonathan Swift "and all the people of literature of that day". Uncertain about Foster's proposal that it should also be a garden for "agricultural experiments", relates a similar, unhappy, experience of the Dublin Society's several years ago in which Wynne Baker almost bankrupted the Society with additional costs. Has found 'Parnassia', 'Hypericum elodes', 'Pinguicula', and 'Gentiana amarella' with [Walter] Wade, praises accuracy and clarity of figures in "English Botany". Has not seen "Doctor Martin's Botanic Dictionary" but bemoans the fact that botanic dictionaries are "generally loaded compilations", and gives his opinions on how they could be truly useful, including clarifying ambiguous terminology. States reasons why he is dissatisfied by the described difference between 'Ranunculus flamula' and 'Ranunculus lingua'. Believes 'Salvia' in the "Systema Vegetabilium" may be incorrectly described, possibly due to a printing error. Complains that [William] Curtis procrastinates with the publication of his "Flora Londinensis". Observes a possible error in "Curtis's Botanical Magazine no. 77".

Disappointed not to see Smith in London. Enjoyed reading Smith's "Tour on the Continent". Has not yet received third number of "Icones pictae" or the "New Holland work". Was in Matlock, Derbyshire, but too late to see the 'Geranium lucidum'. Found an abundance of 'Echium vulgare' in the south of England, comments on beauty of the plate in "English Botany" and rarity of it in Ireland. Frequently saw ['Cichorium'] but believes it is now cultivated as a crop. Was unable to see 'Hollonia' or 'Menyanthes'. Asks if [Walter] Wade has sent him his catalogue, comments on lack of "numerous or interesting plants" in Ireland but notes the relative rarity of 'Smyrnium olusatrum' in England. Purchase of land for Dublin Botanic Garden hindered by a bad title on the intended ground, Wade is attempting to find an alternative location but land in Dublin is expensive. Remarks that Matlock is a "charming place" but the "curious machinery and opulent manufacturers [...] destroy the solitary beautiful wilderness". Scornful of Buxton, Derbyshire, "a more disagreeable country can scarcely be seen".

Prevented from immediately accepting Smith's proposal of a botanical excursion as he is waiting the arrival of his nephew Colonel Cockburn [Sir George Cockburn (1763–1847) army officer], to chaperone his female companions and has some business to conclude with Lord Bessborough [Frederick Ponsonby (1758-1844) 3rd Earl of Bessborough]. Turns down Smith's offer of accommodation, not wishing to intrude "in the first moments of so interesting an occasion as a marriage", will stay at an inn instead and shall travel by coach so as to be accompanied by [Nicholas] Gwyn. Trying to procure a tin box for plants.

Three small sketches of plants in ink and pencil on recto of second folio.

Invites Smith to accompany him with his nephew, Colonel Cockburn [Sir George Cockburn (1763–1847) army officer], to Jersey and Guernsey.

The proposed visit to Guernsey suspended as the War Office has ordered Colonel Cockburn's [Sir George Cockburn (1763–1847) army officer] regiment from Guernsey into camp at Netley, Hampshire. Intends to visit Smith in Norwich instead, as soon as possible. [Caspar von] Voght did not call on him.

Describes his return journey from Norwich to London, along the way saw 'Verbascum', '[Centaurea] cyanus, '[Centaurea] inlybus' and 'Echium'. Describes Thetford, Norfolk, and relates how a few days previous troops had been despatched on erroneous reports of a riot, and Epping Forest. The Guernsey expedition still in suspense. There is little news, with "no accounts being given of the Emigrants [it] looks unfavourably for them".

Had a good journey back to Dublin, relates his journey afterwards which was "altogether a Tragi-comedy", with one chaise falling apart and overturning and the horses of another refusing to move, meaning he had to walk five miles in a "storm of wind", believes it was the same night that did "such damage in England". Sends eight patterns for poplins, asks Smith to circulate them. Hopes Smith is comfortably settled in his "rural habitation". Hopes Smith did not forget to see the "engaging bird" at the Exeter Change, regardless of whether it is the 'Turdus nitens' or not. [Walter] Wade found 'Scilla verna' in abundance at the Giants Causeway and collected some roots.