Confirms that a 'Hieracium' found last August by Travis in Scarborough not like any in "English Botany" appears to be 'Hieracium prenanthoides' in "English Botany", will bring specimen to London. His son returned from five weeks hunting in Leicestershire. Visited Sir Joseph Banks at Revesby Abbey, Lincolnshire, last October, where there was uncommonly good hunting but he hurt his leg. The 'Glaucium fulvum' grown from Smith's seeds "the most desireable plant" of its kind he knows and has distributed the seed as an acquisition to every garden. Banks "particularly well" though everyone alarmed about the gout medicine he has started taking; Duke of Gordon informed it is 'Gratida' which a medical friend of his gives with success, and having looked at Lewis' "Materia medica" the effects of 'Gratida' agree exactly with those of "Can medicinale".

Fears recent keen frost has injured apricot crop and hurt vines but successful with kale having had pots made with covers as proposed in note in "Hort. Trans", the convenience in examining plants very great. Frustrated that [Lewis Weston] Dillwyn [(1778-1855)] still has his 'Conferva' drawings two years after requesting their return.

Visited his childhood home in Berkshire whilst staying with Mr C Dundas. Raw weather [at Thirkleby] but crops are forward and hay making is already underway and a good crop of backward grapes under glass, though there are no apples and hardly any pears, peaches, or nectarines compared to usual. Discusses strawberries: plans to raise them from seed; wrote to Dundas for some "fine hautboys" which he plans to alternate with pines, "as recommended by the French", though he has failed in the past with hautboys. His fruit trees showing symptoms of age not only for themselves "but my Scotch gardener".

He and Mr [Hugh] Davies identify same plant for [William] Hudson's 'C. nigra'. Has not heard of Mr Di in London. Smith's 'Glaucium fulvum' still in flower and some plants from last year's seed have yellow petals, it is a very hardy plant easily raised and transplanted, "a very desireable acquisition". Last autumn received seeds of a "green fleshed melon from Egypt" from Archbishop of York [Edward Venables-Vernon-Harcourt (1757-1847)] but it has not successfully cropped yet, though at Bishopthorpe [Palace, near York,]"they are considered as superior to all others" with a very rind thin and a green coloured transparent flesh, bears no comparison to the orange cantalope. Received 'Nuphar minima' seeds from [James] Brodie which he will sow "properly sunk, in some pool".

Suffered more "perspirations and fatigue" this shooting season than in any other. Sir Stephen [8th Baronet (1780-1815)] and Lady [Mary] Glynne visited recently. His brother quartered at Brighton, [Sussex]. Received haunch of buck venison from [Alexander Gordon, 4th] Duke of Gordon [(1743-1827)], his stag venison not good but [John Murray, 4th] Duke of Atholl's [(1755-1830)] "said to be often excellent".

Sends copy of his "Illustrationes Theophrasti". Would like to see a new edition of Theophrastus.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 31 December. His wife and daughter [Mariamne Johnes] have severe colds, and he has been ill, too, but by following medical rules of cupping, blistering, and Calomel, they have gained relief. Hopes to see Smith in London in the spring.

Has long heard of the treasures of Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] but doubts likelihood of his ever visiting. Has amused himself with the exiled King of Sweden's father's work, and Madame des Duffand's letter to Lord Oxford. High winds and heavy rain but no snow.

Franked Smith's letter to Mrs [Pleasance] Smith. His daughter [Mariamne Johnes] exceedingly ill and yesterday called in Bayley and Pearson, who both agree on its being a "strong nervous affection" and requiring a long recovery.

Received Smith's letter; sorry to hear he has been ill. His grief [at death of his daughter, Mariamne Johnes]; support from his faith and friends. Shortly returning home [to Hafod, Cardiganshire].

His grief and wife's grief [at death of their daughter, Mariamne Johnes]; a visit from Smith would do them good; has never seen Hafod in "such beauty". Expects [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841)] on Monday to consult about a monument [for Mariamne].

Confined to his house for the last three weeks but almost recovered. [Liverpool Botanic Garden] has purchased [Thomas] Velley's herbarium, including his marine specimens. Asks if his "Rocket against the French botanists" [paper comparing systems of Linnaeus and Jussieu, see RelatedMaterial below] has been read yet; thinks he can now fully explain the distinction between a natural and artificial system; wishes the animosities between Britain and France could be confined "within such harmless limits" but the business of "cutting throats" now seems to be a permanent state of society. Published some brief observations on speech by Lord [Thomas] Grey [de Wilton, 1st Earl of Wilton (1749-1814)] and has collected his political tracts into a volume, will send copies for Smith, William Taylor, John Taylor, and Samuel Taylor.

[Liverpool Botanic] Garden flourishes; [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] has "collected more plants than he cou[l]d probably have done in a voyage round the world". Sorry to hear that so many of the country's finest [plant] collections are being broken up and dispersed; symptomatic of the state of the nation led by ministers who "ride it like an ass, with nails for spurs, & a bludgeon for a whip".

Notes that his his paper on classification [see RelatedMaterial below] has been read at Linnean Society; confident his principles are correct, and confirmed by Smith's assent, but could have given better examples. Critiques Count [Johann Centurius] Hoffmannsegg's [(1766-1849), naturalist] "Flore Portugaise" [(1809-1840)], which quotes Smith; plates coloured well but the system shows need to adhere to an established plan of arrangement so botanists can understand each other; discusses further.

Expecting his copy of Smith's "Tour of Hafod". He has been devising a method for putting an "effectual end to the African slave trade" and also looking into the state of the arts during the Middle Ages for a memoir. Looking forward to Smith's Lancashire visit.

Comments on plans for establishment of botanic garden in Norwich and assures Smith that establishment of such a place is achievable on almost any scale; explains Liverpool Botanic Garden financing and costs. A garden is also being established at Hull; believes that "the union of science & pleasure which these institutions afford to the inhabitants of large towns" will lead to their being generally adopted. Congratulates Smith's mother, happy to hear of [William Fitt] Drake's good fortune. His son James just returned from tour of Scotland.

Replies to Smith's letter of 15 December [1810]. Seldom sees [Dawson] Turner since leaving Bungay, [Suffolk]; has made observations on Turner's 'Fucus simpliciusculus' and its resemblance to his 'Ulva decorticata'; notes. Comments that Turner's work ["Fucus sive plantarum fucorum"] seems to relax as it approaches its end; a number has not come out for two months; criticises its unpleasant arrangement.

"Most severe loss" to Linnean Society and students of natural history all over the world in death [Jonas] Dryander; repsumes [Robert] Brown will succeed him at Sir Joseph Banks'. Death of Windham and the loss to residents of Earsham, [Norfolk]; obituaries.

[Letter incomplete: lower third of second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Account of the dinner at Somerset House [home of the Royal Academy] at which the Prince Regent [George IV (1762-1830)] was present and made a speech in which he pledged himself to support the arts, and in which he praised the exhibition and artists, including [Benjamin] West [(1738-1820), painter and president of the Royal Academy 1806-1820]; West's speech kept them in "agony".

His first two lectures "more splendidly & fully attended" than any he ever had; they are held on Mondays and Tuesdays. London meetings. Consulted by Mrs J Lane about an abridgement of Gibbon she has in hand. Wearing mourning for T Smith; surprise at suddenness of Leyson Cooper's death. [William] Roscoe may be coming to the Installation and to Holkham, [Norfolk]. Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington] to become Honorary Member of the Linnean Society.

Has not written since 29 April [1811]. Her manuscript is at Longman's, no answer as yet. Hopes her parents are recovering their health. Journal type entries of his dinners and meetings in London. His "Hafod Tour" may pay its expenses, but no more, for this year at least. The Dilettanti club rejected him and everyone else proposed last year, though he had the fewest black balls.

[William Fitt] Drake working "diligently & extremely well" for the "Cyclopedia", a great help to him. Dr [Martin] Davy of Caius [College, Cambridge] is married, so does not expect an invitation to the installation, but he is coming to London 24 May; will come out of mourning but return to it the next day for George W. Attended parties at Mrs Weddell's, and Sir Joseph Banks', [Richard] Salisbury also in attendance, the first party he has met him at since they separated. Dined at William Smith's. His next lecture to be very general, "on the parts & structure of plants".

[Letter incomplete: second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Ill-health. Account of a visit to Kew; party at C Scott's; Linnean Society anniversary meeting, at which [Richard] Salisbury voted, and who is now "more troublesome by civility & deference" in botanical conversation; [Edward] Rudge suspected of stealing specimens from Sir Joseph Banks; concerned by progress of "Cyclopedia"; dined at William Smith's; dined at [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's, where he met Mr and Mrs Cator, who have papers of Peter Collinson's [(1694-1768)]; gave his last lecture, much applauded; breakfast with William Roscoe and [William Jackson] Hooker; a visit to Westminster Abbey with William Smith and the Miss Smiths; Thomas Forster; rejected papers of Rudge's as they were designed to "plague" [Robert] Brown and were instigated by [Richard] Salisbury; visited Lady Cremorne at Chelsea, her character; Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North]; the Jones's; the Fairbairns; Sir Thomas and Lady Cullum; at the Davenports' met Henry Warburton [(1784-1858), merchant]. Their cousin William Daniel has sent his "picturesque book on animals".

Pleased at account of her mother's recovery. Has not seen his cousin [Richard] Westall's [(1765-1836), painter] illustrations of [Walter] Scott's [(1771-1832), author] works yet. [Richard] Salisbury has been "thrusting himself forward" to talk with himself and [William Jackson] Hooker at Sir Joseph Banks'; Banks gave Salisbury a "rough rub" about changing plant names.

Received £66 16s for his lectures and expenses. Account of his journey to Westhorp [Kindersley home, Smith's cousins] and description of the setting and house; Sir George Nugent [(1757-1849), army officer] visited yesterday. Their future plans, including visits to Hall Place [home of Sir William and Lady East]. Accounts she has of the King [George III (1738-1820)] exaggerated, at least to his dying. Dinners at William Smith's with Hooker; Bishop of Winchester's [Brownlow North]; [Alexander] Macleay's, with food and drink listed; [William George] Maton's; account of visit to Formosa, an island in the Thames owned by Mr Young.

Received Smith's letter of 25 April. Expecting to leave [India] in two years and will bring with him a large collection, although it will not be as interesting as the one from Nepal. His collection of fish is more curious and increasing rapidly, has been unable to trace more than a few in Lacépède. This year is working in the Bhagalpur district of India. A squabble the previous year between the British and Nepalese governments has prevented him from obtaining seeds and flowering specimens of the officinal plants of the Indian Alps. Has managed to procure specimens of one genus, similar to 'Caltha', two species used for medicinal purposes and resemble either the 'Ranunculus arvensis' or 'Ranunculus acris', and another species which is one of the most violent poisons known in India and is used by the natives on their arrows.

Refrained from writing to Smith assuming he would hear his news through Liverpool Botanic Garden. Sending 25 specimens of plants to [William] Roscoe. Plans to travel another 1100 miles up the [Missouri], according to General Clark it is "peculiarly interesting". Recommends Smith examine a specimen of a pouched rat sent to Lord Hawley, possibly 'Mus bursorius', comments on the construction of the mouth, which resembles 'Arctomys'. Has found a 'Talpa' not dissimilar to 'Talpa europaea', and many undescribed 'Coluber' and a 'Crotatus'. His most interesting specimen is the 'Dioeica octandria' shrub which has a "much esteemed berry". Hopes to meet Smith on his return to England. In the most recent 200 miles of his journey has found more British 'Carices' than he has ever seen before in America and has now seen c 26 species of 'Carex'.

Has heard from Sir Thomas Frankland that Smith has been ill and hopes it has now improved. Puzzled by [Dawson] Turner's long silence in response to many letters, hopes he is not in ill health. Believes 'Borreri minima' should be renamed 'Borreri nupar' and believes it is a distinct species.