A title page and contents page of Volume 6 of James Edward Smith's Correspondence

A title page and contents page of Volume 7 of James Edward Smith's Correspondence as well as a portrait of Thomas Martyn and a note on the correspondence from Thomas Martyn

A title page and contents page of Volume 8 of James Edward Smith's Correspondence

A copy of W. Say's engraving of F. Chantrey's bust of Smith, a brief general introduction by Pleasance Smith, and a contents page that preceeds the letters.

A title page and contents page of Volume 9 of James Edward Smith's Correspondence

A title page and contents page of Volume 10 of James Edward Smith's Correspondence

A title page of Volume 11: Correspondence of Sir James Edward Smith and Samuel Goodenough, Bishop of Carlisle

Letter accompanying the nineteen volumes of Sir James Edward Smith's scientific correspondence, in which she stipulates two conditions concerning the volumes: one, that they never be removed from the Linnean Society's rooms for perusal, and second, that should the Society cease to exist the letters not be dispersed but placed in the British Museum with the library of Sir Joseph Banks. Includes envelope.

A title page of Volume 12: Correspondence of Sir James Edward Smith and Samuel Goodenough, Bishop of Carlisle

A title page of Volume 13: Correspondence of Sir James Edward Smith and Sir Thomas Gery Cullum, 7th baronet

Pleased by the visit of Smith's relation, Frederick Smith. [Thomas] Lister Parker [(1779-1858), antiquary] visited and mentioned the "great pine", believes branches and cones have been sent to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Wishes her husband [Sir James Edward Smith] and himself had been young and well enough to attend first meetings of the season of the Horticultural, Linnean, and Royal Societies. His son and family are to winter at Nice but concerned that from [Thomas] Martyn's report of the weather in Nice in his "Tour through Italy" (1787) it will not help the ill Mrs Cullum. Returns basket with young pheasant.

Death of her husband [Sir James Edward Smith] always in their thoughts; glad she stayed with her aunts in Saxmundham, [Suffolk]. Hopes the Linnean Society will agree to purchase Smith's library and museum. His son and daughter-in-law have returned to Hardwick House, [Suffolk], but her ill health means they are to winter in a milder climate again. Invites Lady Smith to visit during the winter.

Concerned at account given of Smith's health and her rheumatism, which he has been suffering from himself. Lady Cullum cannot get rid of her nervous intermittent fever despite advice of [Willam George] Maton and Sir Henry Halford [(1766-1844), physician]. Surprised to see [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, who has had such delicate health for last thirty-six years, at public meetings and dining with friends at home every day. His son and family spending winter in Paris and summer in Rome or Nice. Regarding negotiations for Linnean Society's purchase of [Sir James Edward Smith's] museum suggests compiling of a catalogue and that three valuers are appointed, one each by Smith and Society and another by both. Mr Oakes the banker died this morning.

Death of his [second] son and approaching death of his sister, Mrs Palmer. His eldest son and family to stay in Paris for winter as Mrs Cullum still very ill. Compares Bury and its archery, cricket, and horticultural meetings, to Norwich and its having always been "famous, for flowers & gardens". Saw Smith's name as a subscriber to the Norwich Museum. Glad Smith has settled with the Linnean Society [purchase of Sir James Edward Smith's collections], with assistance of [Edward] Forster and himself for advice in establishing a fund for the purchase.

Sir Thomas Frankland would send any letters of her husband's [Sir James Edward Smith] if he had them; he has been nervously ill for ten years and almost lost the use of his limbs. Glad the Linnean Society took on his plan [fund for purchase of Smith's collections by Linnean Society], subscribed £100 himself, and Lloyd £500. Believes he has lost or mislaid some of Smith's letters but did not destroy any, will collect them when next in Bury. Brief account of visit from General [Thomas] Hardwicke. Frequently sees [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Family deaths: his second son died suddenly last August, and his sister Mrs Palmer died a few weeks afterwards at ninety-one years old. Eldest son has a sixteen years old daughter [Susannah Arethusa Cullum], his deceased son no children.

His wife died 13 September of the intermittent fever she had suffered for last seven years, she was attended by Dr Probart and Dr Smith, and his in Rome unaware of the news as letters take a month. Did not burn any of her husbands letter [Sir James Edward Smith], though it will time consuming to collect them. Praises Dawson Turner.

In postscript writes that he just received a China vase from Dresden without any damage, would like Turner to confirm the genus and species of the moss it was packed with.

Death of his father, [Sir Thomas Gery Cullum], on evening of the Coronation Day [of William IV, 8 September 1831]. Notes that September appears ill fated to him, having lost his aunt Mrs Palmer on 12th, his mother on 13th, and now his father on the 8th.

Thanks for gift of book and letter of recollections. Gratified by Lady Smith's support of her husband's late conduct [Thomas Milner Gibson (1806-1884), politician] and its contrast from the ill nature and persecution they have received from those that previously professed friendship. Invites Smith to visit.

[Note in red ink on verso of second folio giving brief biographical details of the letter sender. Letter dated 14 September but no year given]

Sorry Sir James [Edward Smith] could not visit him in Bury following his own visit to Smith in Saxmundham; hopes his health is recovering. Lady Cullum's trip to Brighton did not revive her health; she is now taking ass's milk to prevent "an irregular & teazing intermittent fever". His son and daughter-in-law staying in Pisa so she can treated by the "celebrated Dr Vacca", but as the baths of Barèges, [France], and Sorrento, [Italy], doubts the worth of this. Death of Sir William Watson [(1744-1824), physician and naturalist]; recalls that when he stayed in Bath he would meet at Governor Pounal's house with Sir William, Dr Parry, [Thomas] Velley, [John] Stackhouse, Sir Thomas Frankland, Archbishop of York [William Markham (1719-1807)], and Dr Falkner, reminded of death of Sir Joseph Banks and the loss of a place where so many friends would meet together.

Sir James [Edward Smith's] health considerably improved and muscle strength regained since they met at Saxmundham, [Suffolk]. Smith constantly working at his "[English] Flora". If Lady Cullum were Smith's patient he would prescribe her James's powders for her feverish symptoms. Read of Sir William Watson's death [(1744-1824), physician and naturalist]. Regrets that Mrs Cullum [Cullum's daughter-in-law] is still ill; recommends she walk up and down the "hanging tower at Pisa". Enjoying reading Lady Morgan's [(1781-1859)] "tour in Italy". Their friend Miss Trafford in Florence accompanying the Queen and Princesses of Haiti [Marie Louise Christophe (1778-1851), wife of Henri I, and Françoise-Améthyste (d 1831) and Athénaïs (d 1838)].