Mr. Townley cannot get B.A. degree without attending one year at University and taking usual examinations. London papers greatly magnified disturbances. Things are peaceful now, but vigorous measures are needed to suppress 'dangerous Meetings.' Expects to enjoy Beckwiths' visit.

Learned that JH has been ill since returning from Slough. Please visit soon.

Praises WW's new book [Elementary Treatise on Mechanics]; is working to get WW elected to the R.S.L. Criticizes a pamphlet by George Peacock. Comments on rules proposed for the new Cambridge Philosophical Society.

Has not heard from him lately, though he wrote last year from Rome and gave him a resume of his travels. William Crackanthorpe is a good companion. The pavilion is being rapidly built. Would like JH to accept hospitality at his house. Gives news of friends.

Was pleased to receive JH's farewell letter. Would be glad when JH was in town if he would call on Gordon's father and mother. Has left copies of the translation of the Memoir of Mr. De La Harpe. Gives an extract of a letter from Naples.

Family news and other matters [letter completed 1819-2-23].

Family news and ramblings [letter completed 1819-5-23].

Of Charles Babbage's visit, family news, and lawsuits.

Of Charles Babbage's trip to Scotland [letter continued 1819-10-8].

Chastises JH for misbehavior along with Charles Babbage, discusses the parlous state of the country's affairs, expresses interest in the history of astronomy, and sends family news [letter completed 1819-10-8].

Of Charles Babbage, family, public affairs, and law suits [letter completed 1819-11-15].

Received Smith's letter of 30 [August] enclosing his son's sketch of 'Lepas anatifera'; was not aware of such an accumulation of shells but should have known at first sight and happy to hear of his son's short interview with Smith. His son and daughter-in-law have a 9 month old daughter, latter "makes herself mistress of whatever subject she undertakes by reading & retaining all"; she makes out botany genera "with great acuteness" and his son shapes his pursuits to hers and the garden benefiting from their attention to it.

Pest control: plagued with wasps this summer and they tried destroying every nest and also hung 100 opodeldoe phials baited with treacle, but the most effective solution were small Scotch gauze landing nets with an iron wire bow held under attacked fruit and gently shaken, sketch in ink of trap. Flies now attacking semi-ripe nectarines. 'Hoya' and yew berries do not attract wasps. Scotch gauze bags do not protect grapes but foundation muslin bags do, and saved many large moonpark apricots by covering each with tow which in addition equalises heat and ripens the fruit more perfectly.

Exotic seeds and plants: his recent exchange of correspondence with [Sir Joseph] Banks after sending Banks seeds from Lima, [Peru], sent by his nephew, Commodore Bowles, including 'Araucaria imbricata' which is described "as growing as high as St Paul's". Sowed seeds received from his vicar's married sister in Bombay: 'Poinciana pulcherrima' (Geal Mohr), 'Ipomoea quamoclit' (Chinese creeper), 'Annona squamosa' (custard apple), Blue convoloulus his gardener thinks 'Dolichos', and 'Abrus precatorius' as scarlet pea. Also sent from Lima: many air plants but only one is alive, at Southampton Botanical Garden, and it is just flowering; received five seeds of 'Annona tripetala' and raised three, gave other two to Banks who intends to send them to Malta; Circassian beads ('Adenanthera pavonia') and both 'Ipomoea' came in last parcel, Banks ascertained species in difficult cases; the seeds were collected by [Aimé Jacques Alexandre] Bonpland [(1773-1858)]; raised amongst the Lima plants 'Apocynum androsaemifolium'.

Too late to suggest examination of his theory that the first flight of woodcocks consists only of males and the second flight of hens and young. Thirkleby has few in any season and the thirty he examined last year were all males, and that from the mildness of the winter thinks no second flight came over. Has only seen four this year so far and they were all males.

Sir Joseph Banks in good health and has only missed dining at the Club two days in the season. Some of the chili seeds sent [from Lima, Peru] by Commodore Bowles [his nephew] are 'Araucaria imbricata'; [James] Lee has raised several. His son called away by Parliament. An unknown bird shot in Wiltshire stubble identified by Nicholas as a "Jamaica quail" from stuffed specimen at Leadbeaters after Banks and [William Elford] Leach erroneously named it as a red-legged partridge, thinks it escaped from a collection.

Thanks for letters from Smith and William Smith regarding the sale of his picture collection; their purchase by the [Liverpool Royal] Institution is not yet settled but will take up William Smith's offer of assistance in selling them if they do not. Sending Smith a copy of his pamphlet and asks his opinion, which he implicitly relies on; defends himself against possible detractors.

Praises Smith's Cambridge pamphlet, which he thinks "unanswerable in argument" and will do much good; highlights chapter three and difficulty of explaining one's religious opinions, and Smith's defence of botany. After long debate it was decided to appoint permanent professors [to the Liverpool Royal Institution] and Smith was nominated professor of Botany, however there is no salary and renumeration based on arrangements made with the committee; requests Smith's repsonse. Thanks for Smith's letter and favourable opinion of his pamphlet. Pleased to hear of Smith's recovery and planned excursion with [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert; asks Smith to recommend the [Liverpool] Botanic Garden to Lambert so they can acquire an off-shoot of his just-flowered Peruvian 'Canna [iridiflora]'. The Garden is setting up a hothouse entirely for 'Scitamineae', to be supplied by Dr [William] Carey [(1761-1834)] of Serampore, [India], and [Nathaniel] Wallich of Calcutta, [India].

[Note in Smith's hand] recording date of letter, "yes".

Business affairs keeping him very busy but keeping as clear as possible from politics, and is not attending this evening's meeting of the Liverpool Reformers to address the Prince Regent for reform; his literary undertakings have also been neglected. Following the receipt at the [Liverpool] Botanic Garden of many 'Scitamineae' plants from the East Indies he has begun reexamining the family; many are mentioned by [William] Roxburgh and are new to this country; convinced 'Canna' will expand from 12 to 20 distinct species. Hopes Smith enquired of [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert about his '[Canna] iridiflora', still a desiderata for them.

Following study of 'Maranta' and Smith's article on 'Thalia' in [Abraham] Rees' "New Cyclopedia"drops his proposal of a new genus detached from 'Maranta' and concedes they all belong to 'Thalia', referring to 'Maranta casupo' and 'M. casupito' of Jacquin "Fragmenta Botanica" tab 63, 64, 69, 70; 'M. gracilis' and 'M. obliqua' of [Edward] Rudge; 'M. lutea' of Jacquin; and a plant in [Etienne Ventenat's] "Jardin de Malmaison".

Slow progress at the Liverpool Royal Institution but the classical and mathematical schools are respectable and a natural history collection is being established under [William] Swainson, who has promised a collection of insects, and they are hopeful for a course of botany lectures by Smith.

Sends collection of plants from the [Liverpool] Botanic Garden for use in Smith's lectures, and a small collection of duplicate 'Scitamineae' plants from [Nathaniel] Wallich, which have also been sent to Sir Joseph Banks, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, and [Edward] Rudge; includes 'Hedychium' and 'Roscoea'. He has been studying the former and with help of Smith's "Cyclopedia" article has made twelve distinct species, of which he will shortly send an account. Discusses Wallich's plants, some of which were unnamed, and from which he has identified four new species of 'Roscoea'. Glad Smith and Lady [Pleasance] Smith are to visit albeit for a short time, and will endeavour to make Smith's new appointment deserving of his acceptance [Professor of Botany at the Liverpool Royal Institution].

Writes on occasion of their wedding anniversary: her respect, affection, and happiness in Smith all superior to what they were then. Thanks for good news Smith sent from [Thomas] Platt [(d 1842), one of John Sibthorp's executors, supervised the publication of "Flora Graeca"] . Recommends for Smith's breakfast reading the anecdotes of Mr Emlyn, the "worthy dissenting minister" of Lowestoft, in the "History of Lowestoft"; relates some of them.

Account of his time in London, including: trip to Eltham with Captain Sandham to try and find Sherard's tomb and remains of his garden; Sandham says James Munro died of failure in nervous constitution, saw his tomb at Greenwich; visited Deptford old church to see monuments of the Evelyns and Sir Richard Browne; called on Dr Baillie, who commended his looks, expects Smith to be on his prescription for a long time, Smith's bowel complaints and treatment; calls on or news of Mrs [Catherine] Lambert, Mrs Lochee, Mr Fuller Farr.

A meeting at Longman's, who declined purchasing copyright of his manuscript and suggested shares of the first edition; they promise to push his pamphlet [probably "A defence of the Church and Universities of England" (1819)]. Is to visit the Lamberts at Boyton, [Wiltshire], possibly followed by visits to Spring Grove, [Isleworth, Middlesex, home of Sir Joseph Banks], and Hall Place, [Berkshire, home of Sir William East]. Death of Mrs Fisher, née Clay, 4 years ago. Longman very keen for Smith to write a "Dictionary of Botany" and greatly approve of "English Flora", but he has to borrow £100-£200 whilst these are writing.

Account of his journey from Norwich, [Norfolk], to Birmingham: unwittingly shared the coach from Newmarket to Cambridge with Mr Hustler of Trinity [College], one of the adverse tutors [to Smith's Cambridge professorship candidacy]; delight at seeing the Beauchamp Chapel in St Mary's Church, Warwick; Birmingham feels a dirty and close town. His first lecture at 7 this evening; no anxiety; the room not painted for fear of his inconvenience; attended sermons and meeting by Dr [James] Yates and Mr S W Brown