Replying to Smith's letter of 29 August. Forwarded Smith's letter to [Elizabeth] Hill [(c 1760-1850), algologist]. A bad summer in Cumberland: very few flowers on their numerous carnations and for the first time he has ever known 'Lathyrus latifolius' also failed to flower, 'Orobus sylvaticus' and 'Cistus helianthemum' did flower. Vouches for Sir Thomas Frankland's reliability in condemning 'Carabus vulgaris'. Accepts Smith's offer to send new volume of "[Florae Graecae] Prodroumus" and new edition of "Compendium [florae Britannicae]". Knows nothing of Cambridge university politics and equates Smith's campaign [for botany professorship] to a game of chess; warns against moving the [Thomas] Martyn pawn at the wrong time [Martyn was the incumbent professor]. Pleased that Lord Exmouth Sir Edward Pellew, 1st Viscount Exmouth, (1757-1833)] ended the Algerian war "at a stroke" [ Bombardment of Algiers, 1816]. Very poor harvest in Goodenough's parish, only fifty acres of eleven square miles have been brought in. Has been employing the poor when he can, and not just buying their idleness with money as fears is mistakenly done in London.