Severe weather and deep snow. Discussed Smith's Cambridge candidature with Lord John Fitzroy. Lea is in England on way to Bogotá to collect drawings and materials of [José Celestino] Mutis [(1732-1808) Spanish botanist]. Lord Valentia [George Annesley] between visits to Ireland. Has been ill after rushing to meet [Aimé] Bonpland [(1773-1858)] in London and being attended by "an apothecary who proved to be more ignorant than the horse he rode on". [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818), collector of antiquarian items, sister of Sir Joseph] not enthused by plants.

Thanks for turkey. Sir Richard Hoare in town and about to print first part of his work on North Wiltshire. Pleased with Smith's life of [John] Ray in new volume of the "Ency[clopedia]" [Abraham Rees' "Cyclopedia"], paragraphs of which "for men of science [ought] to be written in letters of gold". Problems in obtaining collections of [José Antonio] Pavon, [Alexander] Macleay is acting as his agent. Bequeaths this collection to Smith if he should die first [Lambert outlived Smith and his collections were sold and dispersed].