Cannot leave the instrument with Edward Troughton later than Saturday. Perhaps Troughton had better leave the instrument in the box until GE calls.
[J. C.?] Schenk has reason to be grateful to JH for all his assistance. Schenck's friends can now judge whether it will be expedient to bring Schenk to London to set up in business. Awaits anxiously the verdict of Edward Troughton.
The comet is not visible. All is ready for its observation. How is the Cambridge observatory progressing? Comet still not visible. Wishes he had a good telescope.
Has received letters from the Admiralty, which have allayed all his previous distress. Is to receive two telescopes. Weather has been unsuitable for observations.
Uncertain whether received his letter on red viper or whether the extract he sent Smith has been read at Linnean Society. Recently read of subscription for statue of Sir Joseph Banks by [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841)] but ignorant whether the statue he subscribed the maximum £10 for in August 1820 has been executed yet, and does not think a second should be undertaken till the first is completed. Expresses disapprobation at Horticultural Society's "gigantic scheme" for a 33 acre experimental garden.
Renews their acquaintance, first made under "most academic roof" of Sir Joseph Banks. Invites Smith to Chelsea for Garden Committee of the Apothecaries Company, of which he is Warden, also invites Smith to the Apothecaries Hall. Received visit from [Thomas] Purton, author of the "Midland Flora"; forgot to asks him about a 'Byssus septica' that occasionally appears in his cellar and leaves everything covered in "very fine soft red particles". His son-in-law, [John] Bowyer Nichols [(1779-1863), painter and antiquary], requested a review of Purton's "Appendix to the Midland Flora" in next "Gentleman's Magazine"; asks Smith's opinion of the work.
Complains that Lawson's letter had no address or date, but informs him the Linnean Society "will always receive gratefully any communications relative to Nat[ura]l History", and assures Lawson that as long as there is "nothing unpleasantly controversial to Mr [Robert] Brown" all criticism is welcomed. Thanks Lawson for his good opinion of his performances [probably Smith's lectures].
[Unclear if this letter reached its destination]
He had applied to [Robert] Maughan [(1769-1844)] for specimens of his 'Salix livida' but found that his herbarium was about to be auctioned for a debt; intends to compare [Georg] Wahlenberg's [(1780-1851)] description to Maughan's herbarium on discovering the purchaser. Asks if Smith has seen [Nicolaus Tomas] Host's [(1761-1834)] "great work" on willows, published at Vienna.
Reiterates that if a new edition of "Flora Scotia" is published, as he expects, offensive references to Smith will be removed. Smith's progress on "English flora". Comments on worth of [Robert Kaye] Greville's work on fungi. Difficulties finding a publisher for his "Exotic flora". Visited [Francis] Hamilton at his home at Lenny; his ill-health and beauties of his lands. [Dawson] Turner averse to his proposed "Species Plantarum" in English.
[John] Denson [(fl 1820s-1870s, curator of Bury botanic garden] sent him thirty specimens to examine and a copy of his catalogue [of plants in Bury botanic garden]. Found 'Aurum dracunculus' "flowering & stinking" in his garden though not as tall as Cullum's. Cullum's parakeet is 'Gingi psittacus' as figured in the "Planches Enluminées". Experiencing an improvement in health and walked to Mrs Crowe's; the willows all growing well. Placed all of Lady Gage's insects in his cabinet. Sends Cullum copies of Linnaeus' "Orbis eruditi judicium" and "Observationes in Regnum Lapideum". Resuming work on his "English Flora", Edward Forster approves of that already done.