Staying with his cousins [the Kindersleys]. Roscoe's address [announcing withdrawal from Liverpool election] is admired by all, and Sir Joseph Banks told [Jonas] Dryander it was "the best he had ever seen", though all are convinced he should not withdraw, especially as William Smith has just been reelected. "Astonished & indignant beyond measure" at Roscoe's countrymen._x000D_

His health is good and lung iunflammation cleared following a "good dose or two of James's powder"; comments on "noise & dirt" in Covent Garden now. Roscoe not put into Linnean Society council as he is too far from London, though finds everyone at the Society is disposed to his wishes anyway. [Richard] Salisbury is "quarelling" with everyone, and whilst breakfasting at the Banks' on Sunday they had an awkward, accidental meeting, which passed with "distant civility", and was the first time they have met outside of the Linnean Society._x000D_

[Thomas] Johnes has lost his election and [James] Brodie likely to lose his, "a great loss to me as a franker", but not to the country as he was a "mere Melville tool".

Glad of Smith's good health; hopes he keeps out of aggravating London air. Defeated in Liverpool election "with about 400 single unsolicited votes"; blames the "great animosity" against him on account of the slave trade, suspects it is sometimes conveyed "in the more popular phrase of Church & King". Encloses an address on the matter; his friends insist there were irregularities in the poll but he is fed up of the "violence, abusy, & scrutiny" of elections.

Pleased to hear that Smith may be joining his mother on a visit to Mrs Martin [Smith's sister] in Liverpool. Relieved to be free of political life, especially as he has attained his "one great object", the abolition of the slave trade, and pleased to return to his botanical and poetical pursuits. Recommends [William] Wordsworth's [(1770-1850), poet] new poems, which he listens to "with a pleasure something like that of an infant to the prattle of an old woman", and are to be read in "listlessness & leisure".

Glad to hear that Roscoe has not been affected by the agitation and anxiety of the last few weeks. Spent much of his time in London with the William Smiths. Looking forward to his visit to Liverpool and Allerton with his mother though it is only a short visit.

Busy with many publications, including: "Introduction to Botany", second part of first volume of "Flora Graeca", second part of "Florae Graecae prodromus", a sequel to "Exotic botany", and others in planning stages. Has undertaken to write the physiological, terminological, and biographical parts of the botanical section of [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia", a "pleasant & easy" job, following illness of previous writer, [William] Wood of Liverpool, who is now well enough to resume descriptive part. Will read [William] Wordsworth [(1770-1850), poet] on Roscoe's recommendation. Has just completed 'Clusius' and Peter Collinson [(1694-1768), botanist] for "Cyclopedia".

Disappointed that he cannot accept Roscoe's invitation. Rumoured that Roscoe will become the sitting member for Liverpool. Hopes to accompany his mother to Liverpool in early spring and would like to discuss Roscoe's 'Canna' specimens, figures, and synonyms, particularly species Roscoe made out of 'Canna indica', for intended paper on 'Scitamineae' species.

Sent the Linnean Society a "botanico-physiological" on germination of seeds, disproving Gaertner's "vitellus"; further details. Asks if Roscoe approves with his rule of "shall & will" as he discussed in October issue of the "Athenaeum". Will shortly send Roscoe his "Introduction to Botany" for comment and corrections; hopes it will promote the study.

Hopes Roscoe has had the most recent numbers of "Exotic botany" from [James] Sowerby. Has written a lot for [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia", and has enjoyed looking at botanical subjects he might not have otherwise studied. Glad Roscoe's Liverpool [Botanic] Garden is flourishing; had hoped to see [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] in Norwich; apologises for delay in sending the herbarium, which is proving "a long & arduous job". [William Fitt] Drake has entered Caius College, Cambridge, with one of the highest scholarships but will still assist Smith half the year. Continuing work on "Florae Graecae prodomus" but struggles to complete more than 10 to 12 plants from 10 o'clock till 3. Compliments to the Roscoe and Rathbone families. Relates a "curious anecdote" about the King of Prussia, Napoleon, and the Empress of Russia at the conference of Tilsit [ending the War of the Fourth Coalition, 1806-1807].

Disappointed not to see Smith in Lancashire this year. Resolved to never stand as MP for Liverpool again. Will send Smith his notes on 'Canna'; pleased he is investigating 'Scitamineae', expects his own system to be overturned. Enjoyed and agrees with Smith's "grammatical paper about shall & will" [in October issue of the "Athenaeum"]. Pleased that publication of "Exotic botany" is proceeding; after seeing [James] Sowerby in London expected the quatro edition to be continued and the octavo given up.

John Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] has made valuable acquisitions from stoves and conservatories of London, including: Norfolk Island pine, multiple species of 'Banksia', several 'Nymphaea', hopefully 'Cyamus nelumbo', and many new Monandrian plants. Compliments both Mrs Smiths, Mr and Mrs James Taylor, and Dr [Henry] and Mrs Reeve.

Thanks for Smith's "Introdutcion to Botany"; praises the preface, Mr and Mrs Ratham have complimented it with "terms of the warmest approbation", and has already lent his copy to Mr Price, MP for Radnor, an amatuer botanist. Requests to be informed as soon as the herbarium Smith is preparing for Liverpool Botanic Garden is prepared; their finances are much improved and are nearly out of debt with an income of 900 guineas, aided by creation of 100 additional shares. Certain a second edition of Smith's new book will soon be demanded.

[Transcription of letter sent by William Hunter to Anstruther]: sending duplicates of his paper on 'Nauclea', and letter to Smith which accompanied the paper [see RelatedMaterial below].

Sends copy of letter and paper by [William] Hunter of Calcutta, Secretary of the Asiatic Society. Will provide copies of drawings and specimens if required. Also has small specimen of tree which Sir Joseph Banks was anxious for. Received letter from [Francis] Buchanan, who has safely reached the Cape.

Sending proofs of all completed blocks [for "Lachesis Lapponica"], with prices marked.

Honoured by Smith's dedication to his late wife [Jane Barrington] and himself in "Introduction to Botany".

Thanks for Smith's "Introduction to Botany". Reminisces about Dr [John] Hope. His daughter married last summer to Mr Easkell of Thornes House, near Wakefield, his gardens are in the "first style" and arrangement of exotics "magnificent".

Sending letter and "clever" drawings from Dr [Charles] Campbell, who is travelling to Sumatra; understands that knowledge of Sumatran botany would be extremely interesting to European botanists. Campbell was unable to provide description of 'Marsdenia'. If the East India Company establishes a Botanic Garden on St Helena hopes seeds from Sumatra will be naturalised here.

Sending specimens of 'Ectosperma sessilis' and 'E. geminata' of Vaucher to [James] Sowerby; unsure if they will revive; no specimens of 'E. terrestris'; observations on former two including on figures by [Lewis Weston] Dillwyn [(1778-1855), naturalist]. Sends specimens of 'Conferva mutabilis'; observations, including on figures by Dillwyn.

Sending specimens of 'Conferva', of which [James] Sowerby has made drawings. Observations on 'Conferva corallina' and 'C. retacea'; tried to make a genus from them.

Numbered descriptions of 6 of the specimens, some has identified 'C. multifida' Hudson and 'C. pedicellata'.

List of plants found on the North West coast of Devon in the autumn of 1806: 'Hypericum androsaemum', 'Centaurea seabiosa', 'Scilla autumnalis', 'Ranunculus hederaceus', 'Papaver cambricum'; habitats and observations on each.

Received Smith's letter of 12 April [1807]. Currently unable to add to his collection of botanical drawings and has instead been collecting insects. Sorry Smith's "Exotic botany" has not been successful. Laments the loss of his valuable books, papers, and drawings, including of insects, in sinking of the ship "Lady Burgess". Left his collection of bird drawings with a brother at Wisbech, [Cambridgeshire], but laments not showing them to [John] Latham and fears other collectors will discover and publish them in during his absence from England. No longer certain how long he will stay in India following the death of his sister.

Glad that [Francis] Buchanan left his dried plants and drawings with Smith rather than Mr L [Lambert?]; he departed for his statistical mission a month ago; his advantages in being supported by government. Concerned that Sir Joseph Banks will suffer more with gout every returning winter. Long suspected [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's indisposition. Directions for sending "Linnean Transactions" and other works during his absence, including Smith's "Physiological & Systematical Botany". Asks that he be sent one of [James] Sowerby's "portable cabinets of minerals". [William] Roxburgh's work.

Has found that the plant which produces Columba root is a species of 'Menispermum', as he always predicted. Asks to be remembered to [Thomas] Marsham, [Edward] Rudge, Sir Thomas Cullum, and [Alexander] Macleay. Sent a packet of seeds for [Thomas] Johnes and Marquis of Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill]

Arrangement [of his "Index plantarum" (1807)]. States that should he die before Smith his manuscripts and any part of his botanical library that Smith does not have will be his.

[Note in Smith's hand] "this proved, on enquiry after his death, to be altogether fallacious".

Numbered notes on [Henry] Muhlenberg's North American plant specimens, covering 703-780.

[Note in Smith's hand] "thus far written in letter Dec. 22 1807. Sent by Liverpool to Dr Muhlenberg".

Sorry to hear of Smith's ill-health; he himself has been ill all winter with a very severe bilious attack, which leaves him unable to accept invitation Smith's invitation of meeting at the Freemasons Tavern, sends apologies to Linnean Society. Invites Smith to dine with him at home.

Expects to depart for Bengal next month. Almost finished his work on third volume of ["Plants of the Coast of Coromandel"]; appearance of the next depends much on Sir Joseph Banks' health; has withdrawn his 'Colebrookia oppositifolia' in consequence of Smith's remarks about 'Sussodia' and intending it for "Exotic botany", but still including the other species 'C. ternifolia', and 'Buchananica', despite having searched in vain for the 'Ava launzan' Smith said was already named for him. Smith's 'Globba racemosa' not one of his and does not know Smith's 'Leucosceptrum canum'. Doubts his ability to obtain the original 'Roxburghia' on account of its distance from Calcutta.

Praises turkey received from Smith. Two seeds of the 'Cycas cirinalis' he sent Lady [Amelia] Hume are growing; hopes Smith's are similarly successful.