Concerned to hear of Smith's distress, hopes the fever and pain are reduced. Writing to Lord Seaforth may be beneficial to Linnean Society; he has a natural history assistant called Symmonds. Regrets Smith's differences with [Richard] Salisbury; does not think Smith would "discriminate between resentment & revenge"; anxious that as the Society is in its infancy and the Royal Society jealous of its success and "party work" that arises may be fatal to its prospects.

Has progressed with marine plants this season; correspondence with [Dawson] Turner; encloses specimen of 'Fucus lycopodiodes' found yesterday at Lossiemouth.

[Spec 5 written in pencil on verso of folio]

Sends manuscript of his work ["Index plantarum" (1807)] for Smith's opinion. Comments on current "deranged" state of plant names, thanks to alterations by Willdenow and others. Difficulties procuring Willdenow's "Species plantarum"; would like to see "Flora Graeca"; admires Smith's "Exotic botany". List of Willdenow plant names.

Returns Sir Joseph Banks' pamphlet on wheat blight; observations on blight. Uncertain whether he has ever seen barberry plants at Rollesby, [Norfolk], and though he acknowledges the poor soil has never heard of any remarkable wheat blight. Has never seen confirmation of barberry causing blight but knows of a tenant who is eradicating all barberry in the hedges around his fields. Hopes the seeds of the blighted grass have blown across to Europe to do their enemies "more damage than the Catamarans have done". Wonders whether night of severe frost in June may have caused the blight; other observations on wheat blight and Banks' remarks. Speculates on airborne seed of fungus.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 4 [November 1805]. Expects [Richard] Salisbury's "passions" to "recoil on himself with double impetus"; first he has heard of "Paradisus Loninensis". Reassures Smith regarding "Flora Graeca". Asks if Smith took any notice of specimen of 'Alisma repens' he sent in former letter. Pleased report that Sir Robert Williams, MP, will no longer be taking a long absence. Requests any spare 'Salix' specimens.

Details of the sale of Mr Taylor's house.

Thanks for Smith's paper for "Annals of Botany", which will appear in the next number, currently delayed. Reminds Smith of his intention to name a plant alluded to in a paper on the irritability of the sexual organs of plants. Discusses wording of title of "Flora Graeca". Death of [Martin] Vahl [(1749-1804), botanist], regrets this on account of strength of his ["Enumeratio plantarum"] vol 1. Death of [Heinrich] Noehden.

Concerned Smith's copy of his edition of [Richard] Pulteney's ["A general view of the writings of Linnaeus"] has miscarried. Remarks on the book, including his decision not to explain the Linnaean system and not to discuss the collections in depth.

Responds to Smith's three letters of: 6 August 1804, thanks for rare cryptogamic plants and news of Miss Smith's marriage to Mr Martin; 17 December 1804, gave [James] Sowerby 'Boronia alata', 'B. crenulata', and 'B. denticulata', also recommended Sir Joseph Banks' specimens; 5 January [1805], thanks for turkey and hare from [William Fitt] Drake, Smith's old appartments ready for when he comes to town.

Asks Smith to write to White [publisher] to confirm the amount he is due for his translation [of Linnaeus' Lapland travel journal, for Smith's "Lachesis Lapponica"].

[Smith has drafted his reply on verso of second folio]: has agreed with White to pay Troilius £60 for the translation; explains his deal with White and the need to ascertain the value of Troilius' translation in comparison to others and the fact that the final translation was less complete through Troilius not knowing Latin. Asks Troilius to suggest suitable amount over £60 to compensate for this trouble.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 13 [January 1805], which came "very opportunely", as without it they would have had nothing to read at Linnean Society meeting. "Linnean Transactions" volumes being forwarded as instructed. Requests Smith's assistance in obtaining enough support to prevent election of Dr Maver.

Apologises for delay in replying to Smith's letter of 21 February [1805] accompanying [John William] Lewin's [(1770-1819), naturalist and artist] plates; he had begun describing the insects but "the brother here became jealous of my interference and is now to publish the whole in his own name" ["Prodromus entomology" (1805)].

Confirms that the Ambrose Serle [(1742-1812), colonial officer and religious writer] whose name Smith saw on the box is the same man Smith knew in Bristol in 1773, and is a great friend of his. Dr Maver not elected. The Linnean Society has agreed terms for new rooms at 9 Gerrard Street, Soho, and the Horticultural Society are to pay 25 guineas per annum to hold their meetings in the meeting room.

Surprised to hear from [Carl] Troilius that the amount owing to him is £82 10s, instead of £60 as Smith mentioned [translation fees for "Lachesis Lapponica"]; Troilius has left the matter entirely in Smith's hands.

"No impartial person can approve of" [Richard] Salisbury's conduct towards Smith; approves of Smith's determination to not take any further notice. Requests paper from Smith to be read at next Linnean Society meeting at their new house in Gerard Street, [Soho], "which is fitted up in a very capital style". He continues extremely busy with his official work.

Sorry to hear Smith's health continues bad. Fears Smith misunderstood some of his expressions in his last letter and reassures him that he has not shown any of his letters regarding his dispute with [Richard] Salisbury; the only blame imputed to Smith is for "taking up the Gauntlet at all". Smith's "character as a Botanist stands too highly to be at all affected by anything Mr S has said or can say", pleased to hear Smith will not take the matter further. Mr [John] Loudon proposed FLS on Smith's recommendation.

Disappointed to not be able to join Smith and his family in Liverpool and missing the lectures. Invites Smith to come to Ireland after his stay in Liverpool. Mackay is on a botanising tour of County Cork. Enjoying the second volume of [William] Roscoe's "Leo" ["The Life of Lorenzo de' Medici"] but wishes there was a translation of the appendices.

The managers of the Royal Institution ask whether Smith would deliver a third course of lectures on botany in 1806. The last course gave "universal pleasure and satisfaction".

[Smith has briefly annotated his reply] Accepts the offer but would like to make the course longer.

Account of journey from Norwich, Norfolk, to London, where he is staying with [Archibald] Menzies. Sir Joseph Banks is to attend the Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)] at the installation of the Knights of the Garter. Subscription prices for the [Royal] Institution have risen. Ran Smith's errands, including going to see [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert but he was away at the Marquess of Blandford's. Unable to see Mr Savage at the Royal Institution but did see Humphry Davy. Visited [John Boydell's] "Shakespeare Gallery", description and critique of some of the pictures there including those by James Northcote; Sir Joshua Reynolds; Richard Westall, who is "superior" to William Hamilton and Robert Smirke; and Benjamin West, who "exhibits all of the extravagance without possessing the genius of [Henry] Fuseli". Regrets that "this complete illustration of the plays of our excellent poet should not be deposited in a public museum" [after falling into financial difficulties Boydell's entire business was disposed of in a lottery]. Description of attending a performance of "Douglas" [tragedy by John Home, first performed in Edinburgh in 1756] at the Drury Lane Theatre, including a near stampede for seats and review of [William Betty's] performance as Young Norval. [William Henry West Betty (1791-1874), also known as the Young Roscius or the Boy, was a talented child actor who first appeared at Drury Lane in 1804]. Menzies says that attendance at the Royal Institution often amounts to 1100 or 1200 persons.

Account of his stay in Tavistock, Devon, with Mr and Mrs Harness, and onward journey to Bath via Exeter, where he saw at the theatre "Young Roscius the 2nd" perform Hamlet, and Bristol. At Bath saw "Maid of the Mill" [by John Fletcher and William Rowley, first performed 1623]. Accounts of people he called on including Dr [Thomas] Beddoes, "very odd and absent"; Mr and Mrs Dickson; Lady Strangford and her daughters; the Talbots; Dr Parry; Miss Sharpe; Dr Currie; and [Thomas] Velley.

In consequence of Smith's "considerations" at the [Liverpool] Botanic Garden about the "'Aloe' alias 'Agave'" sent to Portugal for the flower stalk of one. Gives description of its size and cutting. Sending a branch of it to Smith along with a 'Melancia', watermelon, and Portugal onions.

Has just returned from Lewis [Lewes], Sussex, surprised to find herbarium of [Peter Simon] Pallas in possession of [John Marten] Cripps [(1780-1853) traveller and antiquary]. It contains all the plants of "Flora Rossica", Gmelin's "Flora Sibirica", and Pallas' "Travels". Also complete collection of Forster's plants, and several of Sir Joseph Banks' South Sea plants, Pallas being the only person Banks sent any to. Pleased with Smith's "Exotic Botany". A "curious conversation" at Soho Square, asks Smith if he [Lambert] ever signed Dr T's certificate [Robert John Thornton (1768-1837) physician and writer on botany, angered several botanists in pursuit of completing his work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus"].