Has sent [James] Sowerby specimens of 'Ajuga pyramidalis' just received from Mr Gibb, gardener of Lord Seaforth. Certain that Smith will be happy in [William] Roscoe's company. Expecting his daughter-in-law and her family from India.

Second edition of his tour of North Wales to appear shortly, updated from findings of second tour undertaken in 1801. Second edition of his "Animal Biography" also to appear; has material to take it from 3 to 4 volumes; new edition to stay with 3; 750 copies printed. He is now using German writers and untranslated French works for information; difficulty of obtaining Schreber's "Mammalia" and Bloch's "Ichthyologie"; uses British Museum Library; relying on Rees' "Cyclopedia" natural history writers. Requests list of suitable zoology books.

Hopes Smith is not concerned at his library and collections becoming spoils of war; concern for [Adam] Afzelius in Sierra Leone. Asks if there is a French translation of Bloch. Collecting 'Coleoptera'. Asks if Smith wants Hampshire fossils.

Thanks for foreign [zoology] book recommendations. Asks for introduction for Dr Morgan to use Sir Joseph Banks' library.

Invitation to visit Lord Derby [Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby (1752-1834)] at Knowsley [Hall, near Liverpool] on Friday; preparations so they can leave directly after Smith's lecture. Does not dare ask if [William Fitt] Drake can be of the party, on account of Lady Derby's distress following death of her mother.

They can visit Lord Derby [Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby (1752-1834)] at Knowsley [Hall, near Liverpool, Lancashire] on Saturday, instead of Friday, and [William Fitt] Drake now of the party.

Hopes Smith less distressed. Remarkable distress and mortality at Edinburgh so far this year; his own health poor. Received letter from [James] Playfair [(1738-1819), Church of Scotland minister] in March indicating he is still interested in studying honey bees and drones; understands he is to publish his findings. Fears the overturn of peace. [George] Don going on well in Botanic Garden.

Received Smith's letter of 31 August [1803]. Hopes some of his old friends attended Smith's Liverpool lectures. Expects [Edmund] Davall's herbarium of Swiss plants will be a great feast for Smith. Looking forward to next volume of "Flora Britannica". His health better than it has been for several years. [George] Don went with a party to Inch Keeth; health of Dr Rutherford and Dr Waltner. Details of [James] Playfair's [(1738-1819), Church of Scotland minister] intended work [on bees].

Sends the Hindu Salt called Bit-noben [as prescription for Smith], its composition: red oxide of iron, uncombined sulphur, unsaturated soda, and moriatic acid; certain it will do Smith good.

Pleased to receive letter from Smith. Smith's friend, Miss Colombine, situated in a worthy, respectable family, the Brigstockes; her misfortunes to be lamented. [Thomas] Johnes and [Mariamne] Johnes going on well. Smith must have heard much of 'Calx muriata' of Dr [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician]; he does not entirely subscribe to all he says of it.

Will gladly show [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] his garden at Clapham, [Surrey]; his Cape plants most noteworthy, especially 'Protea' and 'Erica'. Gets few things from Botany Bay but believes he is the only one to succeed in raising 'Embothrium speciosissimum' from seed. Requests seeds of 'Boronia serrulata'. Regrets that no Linnean frequently helps him with notes and collation as he does not have the time to study. Anticipating [William Roscoe's] "Leo X", enjoyed his "Life of Lorenzo de Medici".

Gratified to see 'Hypericum calycinum', which Smith thought belonged to British flora. Encloses a new 'Gymnostmum' found near Cork, by Mr Drummond; observations; and possible 'Gymnostmum microstonum'.

[Spec 17 in pencil at top of verso of first folio]

Recommends a chimney-sweeping machine for Smith to introduce at Norwich.

Printed notice by Society for Superseding the Necessity of Climbing Boys..., dated 26 October 1803, recommending to the general public the chimney cleaning machine invented by Mr Smart.

Introduces Dr Allen, of Norwich, [Norfolk]. He and Mrs Forster hope to see the Smiths at Blundeston, [Suffolk], in a few weeks.

Found his new 'Juncus' in rocks about Tunbridge Wells, [Kent], and Hainult forest in Essex, where it grows mixed with 'J. pilosus' and 'J. sylvaticus'; some observations.

Sent [Dawson] Turner and [James] Sowerby specimens of new 'Carex' in flower. Gathered plants of new 'Carex' in 1797 from Cronkley Mountain, but thinks [James] Dickson should still be credited as its discoverer so as not to set a precedent; concedes that Mr Oliver discovered 'Gentiana verna' some years before he did. Proposes name 'C. rupta' for new 'Carex', small sketch in ink of arillus; [William] Brunton thinks it a 'Schoenus'.

Confirms the lichens he sent Smith are 'Lichen tartarius' and 'L. turneri'; observations on these and other lichens he sent Smith. List of cryptogamic and 'Carex' desiderata [some items have been ticked by Smith].

Declines Smith's offer to name a lichen after him. Detailed numbered observations on various 'Lichen'.

Turned down Smith's offer to name a lichen after him on account of the extra expense it would entail through an increase of correspondence, and in fact intends to quite botany for a while to reduce his expenditure.

Notes on [Erik] Acharius' new work "Methodus Lichenum".

Sending parcel of specimens, including 'Lichen pruinatus', 'L. fusellus', and 'L. tricolor'. Discussion of various 'Lichen' species. Intends to apply himself to serious study of mosses after receiving [Olof] Swartz' "Disposito Muscorum". Apologises for sending letter on lichens after Smith stated he was putting them aside for a time.

Hopes Smith will find much amusement at Oxford. Unable to solicit favours of his few Oxford friends, but will be able to judge further on hearing more of the nature of the Oxford office [George] Williams is applying for. Will be disappointed if he does not see Smith at the Free Mason Tavern for the Linnean dinner.

Sent Lady [Amelia] Hume a description and drawing of a new 'Cycas' to to be forwarded to Smith; despatching several plants of this and 'C. circinalis' to England in due course. Since his return 6 months ago has described and figured many new plants in the botanic garden, but his most arduous employment has been correcting his carpological deficiencies as discovered in London; asks about providing tables for already published plants, and providing more particular accounts of the genera; encloses a very full description and sections of the 'Cycas' [extant]. Regrets not seeing Smith in England or accompanying [Francis] Buchanan to Norwich.

Left large collection of plants for Linnean Society in charge of [Robert] Brown and intends to send further dried plants. Comments on [Henry Thomas] Colebrooke's [(1765-1837), administrator in India and scholar] paper "'Olibanum', or Frankincense of the Ancients" in "Asiatick Researches" vol 9.

Detailed description of new 'Cycas', with sectional figures [3 pp].