"Nothing more flattering" to the Linnean Society than being permitted to enrol the Prince Regent [George IV (1762-1830)] as an Honorary Member. Accepted his own invitation to become an Honoary Member from respect he bears the Society and for feeling it did not imply the slightest degree of botanical knowledge; considers Fellowship in a different point of view.

Delayed sending 'Lichen scaber' till Smith was in London; asks for any news of publication of his paper on subject.

[Spec 11 written in pencil at top of verso of first folio]

Thanks for letter acknowledging receipt of 'Lichen scaber'; sends further specimen of it with a different kind of fructification [extant]

Specimen labelled "'Lichen scaber' with roughish warts H[ugh] D[avies]".

Received roots and specimens of Smith's Norfolk elm, which he thinks comes closer to 'glabra'; can get naturalised Dutch elm for "English botany". Believes Lord Moira [Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings (1754-1826)] will not be troublesome concerning the Prince Regent, as he has already agreed to become Linnean Society patron. Benjamin [Forster] adamant that he did not criticise "Flora Britannica"; only lamented delay of fourth volume.

Signed [William Fitt] Drake's Linnean Society nomination certificate and sent on to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Just received [William Jackson] Hooker's "interesting" work on Iceland ["Journal of a tour in Iceland" (1809)]. Sent oysters.

Received Smith's letter of 24 April [1810]. Suffering from severe headaches, for which he has just returned from a retreat in the upper provinces; was unable to pursue any natural history inclinations and has become a "much worse botanist" than when he left England; preparing to visit the Cape [of Good Hope] or St Helena for the headaches, and will also visit England if they persist. Whilst at Cawnpore found 'Rhododendrun boorans' for Calcutta Botanic Garden and Marquis of Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill]; [William] Roxburgh sending drawing taken from dried specimen. Also found: 'Berberris ilicifolia', 'Rubus' with yellow fruit, a 'Quercus', 'Pinus longifolia', and a 'Betula'. Transplanted a tree from Cawnpore to Calcutta Botanic Garden, Roxburgh thinks it a 'Humea'; observations.

Has a specimen of 'Breccia' or pudding stone, a mineral, for Sir Joseph Banks. Pleased to hear of Banks' desire to establish a Botanic Garden at Ceylon. Concerned to hear of [Robert] Brown's desertion of the Linnaean School.

Left Bengal for restoration of his health and long abscence from that climate. Intends to tour the island and examine its natural productions. Sent a cabinet of insects of Bengal and surrounding sea coasts for the Linnean Society; details concerning its delivery. Intends to stay on Mauritius for 4 months before going on to Cape [of Good Hope], and may be in England next summer. Observations on climate. Accompanied by Captain Roughsedge of Liverpool.

Happy to hear of Smith's health, hope he can keep in advance of [Abraham] Rees' "amazing rate" [for "Cyclopedia"]. Declines undertaking publication of "Correspondence of Linnaeus" for present on account of unfavourable times, does not expect Smith would find success with another publisher. Editorial advice should Smith proceed with publication.

Introduces himself. Sends list of habitats of various indigenous plants [see RelatedMaterial below]. Sends a 'Lichen' and a 'Sphaeria' for determination. He has been conducting experiments on the 'Berberis communis' and obtained results similar to those in "Philosophical Transactions [of the Royal Society]". Also sends paper on botanical societies in Manchester [see RelatedMaterial below].

Appoints Thomas Marsham as a Vice-President in place of Jonas Dryander, deceased.

Proposes formation of a "Linnean Club" from among the "more zealous and respectable members" of the Society, with 15 to 20 members. [Alexander] Macleay, Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough], and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert all approve; its intentions.

Apologises for not attending to Smith's invitation. Invites Smith to dinner.

Encouraged to write to Smith by "conviction of the liberality of [his] mind, and [his] readiness to assist the younger part of the community, displayed in [his] valuable works". Encloses specimen of an 'Endocarpon' of [Erik] Acharius, found on river Tyne, and identified by [Dawson] Turner as 'Endocarpon leptophyllum' Acharius and 'Lichen lectophyllus' of "English botany"; and "shields" of what Turner calls 'Parmelia turneri', accompanying 'Verrucaria amphibola' Acharius; observations.

Thanks for Smith's letter, just received; will be glad to have Smith's criticisms on the "Tab[ula] Syst[ematica]", as in addition to Smith's own practical botanical knowledge he has assistance of [John] Sibthorp herbarium. His hopes for future usefulness of his "Illustrationes Theophrasti". Sorry he is to miss Linnean Society anniversary meeting, hopes Smith may visit him near Liverpool in August.

Points out that several mosses recently published in "English botany" and credited as being sent by [James Townsend] Mackay [(1775-1862), curator of Botanic Garden, Trinity College, Dublin] and [John] Templeton [(1766-1825), father of Irish natural history] are in the large parcel of mosses he sent 3 or 4 years ago.

Encloses rare specimen of 'Op. vulg.' ['Ophioglossum vulgatum'?] from Dublin mountains, found by Dr Ogilbie.

[Spec 27 written in pencil at head of folio]

Encloses a moss he takes to be 'Dicranum strumiferum' of "Flora Britannica" [determined by Smith as 'Bartamia fontana'].

Observations on Smith's remarks on 'Hypericum calycinum' in "English botany" and "Linnean Transactions"; does not think it ought to be considered indigenous; reminds Smith of the instance some years ago when it was thought 'Acorus grammineus' had been found growing wild, later found to be false.

[Spec 28 written in pencil at head of folio]

Introduces Mr Patterson of Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia, and asks for him to be introduced to the "scientific charcters of England". Asks to be remembered to his friends, particularly [Richard] Salisbury. Leaving for Philadelphia in a few weeks.

Has given [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert all the plants he collected on his travels on condition of receiving descriptions of any new species and a list of the whole, and instructions that any duplicates be sent onto Smith. Particularly anxious to know whether Smith has received all the 60 new species belonging to the Grecian collection.

Requests specimen of foliage of 'Ulmus campestris', following Benjamin [Meggot Forster's] sending him Dutch elm, believes may be Willdenow's 'Ulmus suberosa' and remarks that Smith's 'Ulmus suberosa' and 'Ulmus gabra' are often the same. Asks to delay publication of the 'Scrophularia' he sent [James] Sowerby as it was not wild, intends to send new specimen. Asks for specimen of 'Salix glauca'. Postscript that Lord Moira believes it impossible for the Prince Regent to be anything but a patron.

Thanks for turkey. Sir James Graham [1st baronet, (d 1824)] cannot expect to be made vice-president if elected to Linnean Society Council, on the Council's recommendation, he as he has only attended the Society once.