Sends what he hopes "will lead to a final settlement of this foolish & contemptible business" between [Patrick] Keith [(1769-1840)] and [Thomas Andrew] Knight [Knight was offended by remarks made against him in several publications by Keith, including "Linnean Transactions"].

His lectures begin on Monday for 4 weeks, hopes not to hear anything further of above affair as he has "enough business" of his own, and intends to be at Linnean Society for 5 May [1818].

Pleased to see Macleay's handwriting "after so long an interval". Concerned to hear of the death of [Olof] Swartz, one of his "most constant correspondents", with death of [Carlo Antonio] Bellardi leaves 4 FMLS vacancies; nominates [Augustin] de Candolle and [José Antonio] Pavon, in spite of the latter's financial situation, Lamarck, and [Franz Karl] Mertens. Considered [Kurt] Sprengel. [Georg] Meyer dedicated his "pompous" "Flora Essequeboensis" to the Linnean Society and is ambitious of joining, but must not be chosen for FMLS yet.

Originally intended to come to London after Easter but his "usual Spring disorder" delayed him; plans to leave on 30 April. Glad to hear "our valuable friend" Sir Joseph Banks "is rallying again". Sending this by Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough], being unaware whether Macleay's "miraculous gift of franking has ceased".

Had hoped to dine at the Royal Academy on 1 May but detained by a bowel complaint, will endeavour to be at the Linnean Society on 4 May, offers to do any necessary work before the meeting.

Received Smith's letter of 26 [April 1819]. Recently unable to take a Linnean Society Council meeting for want of a vice-president. In case of Smith's absence at 4 May meeting will propose that the new Council is nominated from the Society's best attendants. Candidates for FMLS are [Augustin] de Candolle, Lamarck, [José Antonio] Pavon, and [Louis Claude] Richard [(1754-1821), botanist], of whom 3 are to be elected, mentioned [Franz Karl] Mertens but [Edward] Forster only one to know of him. Uncertain of the worth of including Pavon, considering the little credit the Linnean Society receives in Europe for its foreign list, and of the nominees he is only anxious about Lamarck.

Read Smith's pamphlet ["A defence of the Church and Universities of England"] with pleasure, thinking it a "well written, cool and gentlemanly reply to the scurrilous attacks of the Greek Professor [James Henry Monk (1784-1856)] and the Quarterly Reviewer" but regrets his having published it, for fear it might do Smith harm.

Fears he will be unable to come to London for Linnean Society meeting on 4 May; Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] will take Chair. Alarmed by Macleay's statement that his pamphlet "could do [him] no good", and hopes he alludes to his first pamphlet and the Cambridge election, as the latter is "very little in [his] mind". Respecting elections for FMLS, would vote for Lamarck and [Augustin] de Candolle, fears [Louis Claude] Richard [(1754-1821), botanist] being a "bigotted anti-Linn[aea]n", and is made sick of [José Antonio] Pavon.

Suffering from a "terrible weakness of bowels, no pulmonary disorder, very tender & feeble".

Received Smith's letter of 30 [April 1819]. [Augustin] de Candolle and [Louis Claude] Richard [(1754-1821), botanist] elected FMLS, Lamarck and [José Antonio] Pavon unsuccessful; lists results, vexed about Lamarck; changes to Council membership.

Reassures Smith over his remarks on Smith's pamphlets: approves of the last ["A defence of the Church and Universities of England"] and wishes he had not written the one before ["Considerations respecting Cambridge"].

Informs Smith of death of [Thomas] Reynolds, a member of Linnean Society Council; necessary to fill the position within 3 months. Currently 6 vacancies on FMLS list, following deaths of [Erik] Acharius and [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon; encloses nomination certificate for Lamarck, hopes both he and [José Antonio] Pavon will be elected this time.

Macleay's letter of 17 [December 1819] "but a melancholy necrology"; sorry to hear of [Erik] Acharius, but fears [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon was in uncomfortable circumstances and had faults, "somewhat in the [Frederick] Pursh [(1774-1820), botanist] style", which made him reluctant to be "his introducer here" had he come to England as he once discussed. Arrangements for Lamarck's and [José Antonio] Pavon's FMLS certificates. Laments death of [Thomas] Reynolds. Asks after Macleay's daughter, has learned "never to despair of young people".

Comments on death of [Thomas] Marsham; asks if they can give "any favourable acc[oun]t to the [Linnean] Society".

Discussed [Edward] Rudge's paper with [Robert] Brown and [Jonas] Dryander and attempted to call on Rudge to represent to him that he believed "he had been imposed upon by some one having stolen 2 of the plants from Sir Joseph Banks", but he was out. Asks Macleay to send letter on subject; takes it for granted Rudge knew nothing of the theft, which he charges on [Richard] Salisbury.

Returns sheets. Does not doubt Patrick Neill's sorrow, but he shows "how foolish a figure a man makes who does any thing he would be ashamed to own". Glad that "our other foolish friend", [Edward] Rudge, has withdrawn the two disputed plants from his paper [suspected to have been stolen from Sir Joseph Banks' herbarium]. He and [Dawson] Turner are going to Holkham [Hall, Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] for a week.

Condolences on death of "our rough diamond", [Jonas] Dryander. Smith can recommend a new librarian [unnamed] for Sir Joseph Banks but he has "the unsteadiness of a genius", and was educated for "a Moravian minister, but has left that bigotted & tyranical society".

[William] Bullock [(c 1773-1849), naturalist and antiquary] elected to Linnean Society by majority of 21 votes, in spite of [William Elford] Leach's efforts to blackball him, for which he was reprimanded by the Chair; Smith mistaken in involvement of [Edward] Donovan [(1768-1837), zoologist], who tried to persuade Leach against such a course.

Laments death of [Jonas] Dryander; [Robert] Brown has succeeded him at Soho Square [as Sir Joseph Banks' librarian]; asks for Smith's suggestions for filling the vice-president position. Asks if it is essential for [William Jackson] Hooker's 'Andraea' paper to appear in present volume of "Linnean Transactions".

Laments [William Elford] Leach's conduct [Leach initiated a campaign to blackball William Bullock (c 1773-1849), naturalist and antiquary, at the Linnean Society] but thinks the vote of censure and record of it right. Pleased [Edward] Donovan [(1768-1837), zoologist] is cleared of blame. Leach improper to show the confidential letter he wrote him, but he is "ever happy to admit [his] mistakes in judgement or in science", asks Macleay to apologise to Donovan for him.

Suggests [John] Symmons as new vice-president; his qualities; leaves all decisions to Macleay as his work and health prevent a winter visit to London. Necessary for [William Jackson] Hooker's 'Andraea' paper to be corrected and shortened before publication in "Linnean Transactions"; Hooker "entirely out of reach at that confounded place Halesworth, [Suffolk]". Agrees that an index is a good idea, but unable to help himself; he works from 9 to 3 everyday and 7 to 9 almost every evening.

[Thomas] Marsham agrees with Smith that [John] Symmons is the "fittest man" for Linnean Society's new vice-president, but he [Macleay] is sorry "none more fit can be found"; Symmons has scarcely attended for several years and "his object in attending since the death of poor Dryander is too evident to require any notice", but he cannot think of any better candidate, considering Lord Valentia's [George Annesley] absences; concerned Symmons will not be agreeable to the other vice-presidents.

Defends his choice of [John] Symmons for Linnean Society's new vice-president.

Does not think [William Elford] Leach's vote of censure should be rescinded [Leach initiated a campaign to blackball William Bullock (c 1773-1849), naturalist and antiquary, at the Linnean Society]; intends to give him "a good lashing by letter". Hopes Macleay informed [Edward] Donovan [(1768-1837), zoologist] of what he wrote [apologising for thinking Donovan implicated in Bullock dispute] but reminds him that Donovan "is not clear of misrepresentation as to Hugh Davies" [Donovan was also involved in a dispute with Davies]. Would not approve of [Edward] Rudge for vice-president, and [George Annesley's] absence is an "insuperable objection", additional to "some might find other reasons against him, better kept out of sight".

Dreads a winter journey; he is rheumatic, though freer than usual from his "teazing autumnal headaches".

Returns proof sheet [of William Jackson Hooker's paper on 'Andraea'] with an added 'Menziesia'. Warns Macleay not to mention "the private anecdote" from India, which he believes false. Pleased Macleay approves of his plans about the vice-president.

Thanks for turkey. Sir James Graham [1st baronet, (d 1824)] cannot expect to be made vice-president if elected to Linnean Society Council, on the Council's recommendation, he as he has only attended the Society once.

Kept here [home of Kindersleys, Smith's cousins] by a feverish complaint; asks [Thomas] Marsham or [William George] Maton to take Linnean Society Chair. Encloses letter from "good" Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley, to be returned.

His health much better but his "perfect recovery will require much time". Pleased to hear of Smith's recovery from his "very severe" summer illness.

Linnean Society continues to get many candidates for admission but few papers; requests a paper for next meeting. [William] Smith and [Charles Sinclair] Cullen elected FLS; [Thomas Thynne, 2nd] Marquess of Bath [(1765-1837)] and Bishop of Salisbury [John Fisher (1748-1838)] now both candidates. Informed by [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert some time ago that the Prince [Regent, later George IV (1762-1830)] was to become the Society's royal patron, has not heard anything since. Asks if [William George] Maton has written to Smith on proposed Linnean Dining Club; some "not very friendly to the plan" but he likes it much.