Waiting for Lady Cullum to have her cataract operation before coming to London; hopes to attend meetings of Antiquarian and Horticultural Societies and Linnean Society anniversary meeting, though Smith will have to announce deaths of [John] Stackhouse and [Thomas] Woodward. The "celebrated" Arthur Young [(1741-1820)] of the Board of Agriculture died recently at Bradfield, near Bury. Introduces Mr Longstaff, bearer of this letter and an astronomcial lecturer. Hopes to attend some of Smith's Royal Institution lectures on "the affinities of plants" in May. Has grown plants of either Smith's 'Dianthus virgineus' or 'Dianthus alpinus' from his "Tour of the Continent" from seeds collected on ruins of Catullus' villa on Lake Garda. 'Tulipa sylvestris', 'Rheum undulatum', and 'Scrophularia vernalis' coming into flower soon.

In mourning for four relatives, including his and Lady Smith's mothers. Going to Thomas Furly Forster's in Clapton, [Essex], for a week before going onto London, and then to lecture in Liverpool in May. Hopes to see Cullum at Horticultural and Linnean Society meetings in May. Laments deaths of [Thomas] Woodward and [Jeremiah] Ives [(d 1820), mayor of Norwich 1786 and 1801] of Catton, [Norfolk]. Thinks Cullum's plant is 'Dianthus virgineus', requests dried specimens of 'Tulipa sylvestris'. Has solicited for Mr Longstaff's astronomical lectures. Preparing for the press "very curious" letters from Dillenius to Linnaeus and to Dr Richardson.