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.

Thanks for brace of pheasants. Pleased to hear Smith's complaint has ceased but recommends continued temperance in his diet and to take 30 drops of laudanum a day for another year. No cause for concern in pulsation of artery in retina.

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".

Criticism of [James Henry] Monk's [(1784-1856), bishop of Gloucester and Bristol and classical scholar] "Hippolytus" [(1811)]; criticism thereof.

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".

Sends a grass for determination, which he thinks 'Aria caespitosa' [Smith has annotated "yes" in margin]; gathered it from Ben Lomond in 1812.

Extensive account of "the various combinations" that within the last year have "conspired to subdue the happiness" of [Francis] Boott, in large part due to the actions of a fraudulent family agent, entailing significant financial losses, and disappointment of his family in America.

Apologises that if in calling on Smith he intruded on his time. Sends specimen of 'Erineum acerinum' in earlier state than Smith currently has it; observations. Offers Smith use of his manuscript, in which he intends to give at least a figure for one species of every genus of fungi. Suggests alteration to [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon's character of 'Erineum acerinum'.

["Spec. 21" written in pencil at top of verso of first folio]

Thanks for turkey and parcel of Nepal mosses. Deaths of [Erik] Acharius, [Christiaan] Persoon, and [Daniel Rutherford], professor of botany at Edinburgh; understands it is a government appointment and already filled, though it would suit Smith.

Thanks for "little publication" sent by Smith, though a defect in his sight prevents him from reading it. Hopes to see Smith soon.

Found 'Buxbaumia aphylla' in Peebleshire this autumn, within two miles of the place he gathered it last year; observations. Found a sufficient number of specimens to include it in his "Hortus Cryptogamicus Edinensis", which is just about to be published. The other species, 'Buxbaumia foliosa', is not rare in this area. Encloses specimen of the 'Buxbaumia aphylla'.

Received Smith's letter of 24 [November 1819]; pleased to find he has discovered a new natural history fact, even if "so little interest as the duration of a moss". Offers to send specimen of 'Vaucharia humata' in spring, which he published as a British specimen in June last.

Discusses recent developments in classification and nomenclature with reference to [Alexander von] Humboldt, Persoon, and De Beauvois. Discusses genus 'Buxbaumia' and discovery by [Robert] Brown regarding leaves on the bulb, with reference to [William Jackson] Hooker, Sir Joseph Banks, and Micheli. Has been studying the Acharian method for three years but unsatisfied regarding synonyms of compound terms, discussion of this. Discussion regarding how to unify the fungi systems of [James] Sowerby and [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon. Encloses "trivial collection of mosses". Edinburgh has been "plunged" into a "botanical lethargy" for some time. Offers to acquire any Scottish plants for Smith.

[Spec 26 written in pencil at head of verso of first folio]

Invites Smith to lecture at the Philosophical Institution; he has long desired that Birmingham might share with Liverpool the opportunity of hearing Smith speak, but they can only offer a fee of 100 guineas as the Insitution is in financial difficulties, there is only one private botanic garden from which to obtain plants, and the lighting of the room may present difficulties. Offers to accomodate Smith for the duration.

Smith has annotated on recto of second folio: "yes".

Owing to lack of sleep, "continual fever & headache", and affection of his lungs unable to lecture tonight, but will be able to on Monday; asks Yates or Mr Corrie to lecture instead or to give some kind of notice. Will be able to make up the full course but will have to give up all dining, calling, and talking. Anxious that nothing should be said of his indisposition.

Concerned to hear of Smith's indisposition; it has been agreed he appears tonight as Smith's substitute, though on a general topic and not botany; will inform the audience Smith hopes to lecture on Monday.

Account of his return journey [from Birmingham], which included a week long visit to London and a brief stay in Oxford, where his pamphlet ["A defence of the Church and Universities of England" (1819)] was much admired; concedes that with his appointment to "Flora Graeca" he has been met "uniformly with liberality, both in publick and private".

Has signed a letter of thanks, along with other members of his congregation, to Mr Aspland, for his two letters printed in the London papers "in defence of our abused & caluminated sect". Very busy but hopes to take his "English Flora" in hand. Thanks for gift of "elegant volume". Hopes Yates will allow him to return favour of Yate's hospitality. His compliments to the Corrie family. The specimens of Birmingham manufacture all much approved.

Thanks for Smith's "truly admirable pamphlet", pleased by the mention of her opal but most pleased by the moderate refutation of Smith's detractors, Professor South and the Quarterly Review. Especially pleased with the third chapter and 97th page of the last chapter.

[Letter incomplete: sections cropped, presumed destroyed]

Sends coloured drawing [extant] of what he believes to be an undescribed 'Syngnathus' after having consulted [Johann Friedrich] Gmemlin's [(1748-1804) naturalist] "Systema Naturae". Proposes to name it 'Syngnathus pentagonus', detailed description follows. Has recently suffered from a severe recurrence of his hematuria.

Coloured drawing of two fish, labelled "'Gasterosteus spinnachia' Linn., 15-spined Stickle-back of Pennant" by Smith and 'Syngnathus pentagonus' by Davies.