Regrets that he will no longer be able to visit Smith whilst [William] Roscoe is also visiting, and proposes next month instead.

Condolences to Smith and Lady Smith on death of their "very near & dear relatives", including Smith's mother, draws comparison to [John] Fraser's [(c 1750-1811), botanist] death and Smith's contribution to the science of botany.

Has been extending and examining his collection of 'Scitamineae' with use of Smith's remarks in Rees' "New Cyclopedia", and living plants of the whole Indian family sent by Dr [William] Carey [(1761-1834)] and [Nathaniel] Wallich, the latter has also sent large chests of plants for the [Liverpool] Botanic Garden, just arrived. Lists plants he is anxious about, with Latin characters: 'Hedychium gardnerianum', 'Roscoea purpurea', 'Canna napalensis'; further notes on his arrangement of 'Curcuma', 'Hedychium', and 'Roscoea'. His business arrangements almost finally arranged but has not been able to escape unjust attacks from people wishing to take advantage.

Visiting Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley], who is anxious to correspond with Roscoe and [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] and have them visit his botanic garden; Mountnorris has a large collection of hardy and other plants not at Liverpool, but lacks 'Scitamineae', so it could be a mutually beneficial correspondence, in addition he corresponds with [Nathaniel] Wallich and has excellent plants from Brazil, including 'Orchideae'. Mountnorris has sent, for Roscoe's examination and use, drawings made for him by Indian artists on banks of the Gogra in Lucknow, on the frontiers of Nepal, including 'Zingiber', 'Alpinia' and 'Matonia'. Wishes that a new 'Scitamineae' genus could be found to be named 'Anneslaea'.

Apologises for not being able to spend more time with Smith and Lady [Pleasance] Smith during their recent stay in Liverpool. About to move to St James's Mount and unsure what course his life will take but hopes it will be removed from "mercantile speculations or the squabbles & quibbles of lawyers". Comments on remarks made by the Chancellor respecting an incident involving his business troubles and an imminent change in law.

Responds to Smith's letter of from Arley Hall [28 July 1820] and thanks for introduction to Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley], whom he first met in London when they helped establish the African Institution. Comments on the curiousness of Mountnorris' East India 'Scitamineae' drawings of, particularly 'Zingiber'. Reminds Smith of a letter he previously wrote on genus 'Thalia', which is still in need of elucidation. Since Smith's departure 'Hedychium angustifolium' has flowered and 'Hedychium excelsum' is about to, and 'Alpinia mutica' for the first time in Britain. Tormented with rheumatism but intends to visit Norwich before winter.

Cataloguing the Holkham manuscripts [home of Thomas William Coke] taking longer than expected but has revealed the collection's importance; believes a published catalogue would be well received. Lady [Anne Margaret (1779-1843), née Coke] is making copies of some illuminations. Constant use of Codington's balsam has improved his rheumatism from when Smith was here. Duke of Gloucester [Prince William Frederick (1776-1834)] and Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)] expected, current visitors include Sir Ronald Ferguson [(1773-1841), army officer and politician].

Postscript in margin of verso of first folio: beauty of the Coke ladies.

Pleased to hear of Roscoe's work at Holkham [cataloguing Thomas William Coke's manuscript collection] and his plan to visit them in Norwich; proposes date so that he can meet the Fountaines and will also invite the Bishop [of Norwich, Henry Bathurst (c 1744-1837)] and the Southwells. Asks whether the Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)] is visiting Holkham and if they will attend the Fox dinner at Norwich. Busy with [Albrecht von] Haller's [(1708-1777), botanist] "very curious" letters to Linnaeus [for "A selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus.." (1821)]. Received "chests upon chests" of dried plants from [Nathaniel] Wallich, he speaks highly of Roscoe. Regards to Coke's family.

Nearly finished with his [cataloguing of Thomas William Coke's manuscript collection] at Holkham but thinks the project may have been beyond his capabilities. Ill-health caused the Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)] to defer his visit to Holkham. Dawson Turner visited and assisted with the manuscripts and has invited him to stay. Urges Smith not to invite too many people when he comes to Norwich as he is anxious for some rest following his two month stay at Holkham and the constant succession of guests. Mortal illness of Mrs Blackwell. Anxious about circumstances in Liverpool but confident he will not be called away.

Announces death of [Thomas] Woodward, following an illness which confined him for the last two weeks. Grief of the family and regret of the whole neighbourhood.

Planning to come to London in April or May to attempt to settle at India House the remainder of his natural history collection and unless easily arranged "the whole for me may go to the devil". Hopes Smith received a copy of his "Hindu Genealogies".

His plans for visiting London. Hopes to procure for Smith duplicates and notes of his Indian plants which would make considerable additions to Smith's "Adversaria Botanica" which he hopes Smith will set about in earnest.

Having looked over the specimens obtained from India House has come to the conclusion that the most scientifically useful purpose would be to publish a commentaries on the "Hortus Malabaricus" and "Flora Amboinensis", details how he would go about this. Will start immediately if suitable for publication in "Linnean Transactions", with a supplement of the drawings from Mysore left with Smith and from Ava, Burma, given to Sir Joseph Banks. Drawings of 'Scitamineae' and Orchides have been lost by the Marquees of Hastings [Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings (1754-1826) Governor-General of India, 1813-1823]. Requests Smith's opinion on this and whether it should be published all in Latin, or the commentary in English and the descriptive parts in Latin, as [Robert] Brown did in his treatise on the compositae in volume 12 of "Linnean Transactions".

Received Smith's letter of 26 August. Shall proceed with the commentary on the "Hortus Malabaricus", has started arranging the specimens and written a preface giving an account of his journeys in India but feels that the commentary will be of considerable length. Perplexed by a 'Boerhavia' which he previously thought a 'Valeriana chinensis', asks Smith to consult his Mysore specimens for a 'Boerharvia elata' so as to see if a mistake was made. Has found two species of Aspidium, one is 'Aspidium dilatatum' and the other he previously thought to be 'Felix femina' but now cannot identify despite consulting "Flora Britannica", sending specimens. Sorry to hear of [Robert] Brown's difficulties at the British Museum.

Married [Mary] Hardcastle on 3 July, a piece of wedding cake was sent to Smith. An account of the courtship, beginning with their first acquaintance in 1811, credits her mother with teaching him botany and leading him to appreciate literature, and account of his abortive attempt to return to America and devote himself solely to the study of botany.

Informs Smith of his marriage [to Mary Hardcastle, daughter of Lucy Hardcastle]; sends piece of wedding cake.

Thanks for turkey. Pleased by Smith's improved health; if he continues with moderate daily dose of laundanum he will never be materially affected by diabetes. Concerned that Smith has eaten fruit and vegetables too liberally.

Had planned to attend Linnean Society and Club on his way to Liverpool with Lady [Pleasance] Smith but forced to cancel this on account of Lady Smith's mother, "whose death is hourly expected". Now intends to come to London with Lady Smith at beginning of May, before proceeding to Liverpool. "Almost afraid to enquire the state of [Macleay's] family". He has been unusually well "this severe weather", but in the last two months the deaths of his mother and several other "dear friends" have brought on his usual headaches, eager to change the scene.

Received Smith's letter of 27 [March 1820]; extremely sorry for Smith's "family distress", hopes he and Lady [Pleasance] Smith will be well enough to come to London in May. His family well, though since the death of his "poor girl" in January they have had a "good deal of sickness"; more sickness in London this winter than ever known. Thinks Sir Joseph Banks has borne the winter well; Mrs [Catherine] Lambert not expected to ever recover her "reason", [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert cannot bear name of his wife to be mentioned.

"Linnean Transactions" vol 13 progressing "very slowly", conflicting opinions on presentation of [Joseph] Smith's [(1775-1857)] paper. Linnean Society's address to the King [George IV (1762-1830)] well received and printed in the "[London] Gazette". Pleased to hear that Smith is to "stick by" the original [Linnean Dining] Club; account of the division, fears consequences of break in Society's harmony which makes him more anxious than before to resign as Secretary.

Just returned from Lowestoft, [Suffolk], "after having paid the last duties to our beloved parent" [Pleasance Smith's mother, Pleasance Reeve, née Clerke (1739-1820)]. Condolences on death of Macleay's loss [his daughter], "more afflicting, as it was not in the course of nature"; like Macleay "never lost so many friends as in the late dreadful winter".

Intends to be in London for Linnean Society meeting on 2 May [1820]. Received poor accounts of Sir Joseph Banks' health from Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, but good account of Mrs [Catherine] Lambert's. Return's Joseph Smith's [(1775-1857)] paper with corrections, observations. Sorry to hear of [Linnean] Club "squabbling", which he thinks "more becoming a tavern than a literary society", but will "lend a hand to calm differences". "Sicken[s] at the thought" of Macleay resigning Secretary position.

Regrets that he has already promised his votes for the Medical Tancred Studentships for 1821 and 1823 have already been promised, for Mr Woodward and Mr Austin, respectively, and otherwise happy to help any descendants of John Taylor; educational advice. Condolences on Smith's "severe losses" [deaths of Smith's and Pleasance Smith's mothers].

Thanks for plants, especially the mosses and ferns, her "peculiar favourites". Hope they will meet Lady [Pleasance] Smith in the spring. Wishes Smith could admire the flowers in her garden. Hopes the translation of Jussieu is not suspended; eager to see him in "an English dress".

[Postscript by Susan E Corrie, daughter of Susan Corrie]: thanks Smith for his remembrance of them; they read his book every night.