Arrangements for Smith's approaching visit.

Disappointed by postponement of Smith's visit, caused by death of Mr J Reeve. Received parcel of plants for Smith from [John Russell] Duke of Bedford. Received plants from [William] Borrer including 'Tinardia palustris'.

Account of a visit to Devon. Read of death of the Bishop [of Carlisle, Samuel Goodenough]; suggests [Robert] Brown as new vice-president for Linnean Society. Hopes Smith received specimen of 'Tinardia palustris'. Plants collected in Devon, including: 'Scirpus holoschoenus', 'Salix argentia', and 'Viola lutea'. Also found 'Senecio squalidus'; reasons for believing it is native, discusses Dr [William] Turton [(1762-1835), conchologist].

[Robert] Brown makes no objections to becoming a vice-president of Linnean Society. Presumes 'Senecio squalidus' is wild; pleased to hear of 'Ophrys arachnites'; observations on this.

Doubts authenticity of Christy's 'Cistus surreyanus' found near Addington, having searched the area himself with [William] Borrer and only finding 'Cistus helianthemum'.

[First two and a half folios by Mary Jane Forster to Pleasance Smith]: Thanks for turkey. Glad that Smith is well enough to tend to botanical pursuits. Mildness of the weather. Family news.

[Remaining folio and a half by Edward Forster to Sir James Edward Smith]: his pleasure at introducing a banking correspondent, John Eddowes Bowman, into a botanical one; proposed him as FLS.

He is about to be married to [Jane Martyn (d 1896)], a granddaughter of Professor [Thomas] Martyn. Requests Smith's assistance in obtaining drawings or descriptions of 'Martynia longiflora' and 'M. craniolaria', for coloured drawings he intends to have made of all the 'Martynia' as a gift to his wife.

Return of David Douglas [(1799-1834), botanist] from America and his "great acquisition of new species of plants"; proposes that he be raised from ALS to FLS, with the usual fees waived, as recognition of his achievements. It would also compliment that Horticultural Society, the Linnean Society's "sister". The old Linnean Club "going on prosperously this season".

Appoints Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough], [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, [William George] Maton, and [Edward Smith-]Stanley as Vice-Presidents of the Linnean Society.

Appoints Robert Brown to be a Vice-President in place of the late Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough].

Complaint in both his eyes has obliged him to be "quite idle for some days".

Following Smith's promise of assistance in procuring plants for his just established Salicetum, sends list 'Salix' already in his collection and requests that Smith procure cuttings of any 'Salix' species wanting.

Sorry to hear of Smith's illness. Asks that when Smith is at his friend Mr Forster's [probably Edward Forster] to compare his collection of willows against the Woburn catalogue. Invites Smith visit Woburn [Abbey, Bedfordshire] whilst he is in London. Pleased to hear that Smith is going to sit to "that admirable artist", [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor] for his bust.

Sorry to hear of cause of Smith's detention in the country. [Edward] Forster had invited [George] Sinclair to see his collection of willows; sorry Smith will not be able to see him but will ensure specimens are sent to Smith.

Sorry that return of Smith's illness prevented him from visiting [Edward] Forster, to whom he had previously sent a collection of his willows for Smith, concerned Smith has not seen them. His gardener has several specimens he wishes to show Smith, hopes he will be able to see Smith soon.

Encouraged to write to Smith by the "persevering attention bestowed by [Smith] upon the progress & the wishes of young botanists, of which he possess so many solid proofs in [Smith's] works".

Discusses apparent ambiguity in earlier editions of "English botany" and "English flora" over the 'Ophrys' species considered 'O. apifera' by Haller and 'O. adrachnites' by Professor Murray; errors respecting localities; encloses sketches, to be returned; William Hutchinson of Hythe, [Kent], [Patrick] Keith [(1769-1840)] author of "Physiological Botany", Robert Price of Lyminge, [Kent], and himself all think it is variety of 'O. apifera'; detailed history and observations.

Provides localities for various local plants.

Encloses specimen of 'Cyperus longus', and remarks and sketch of an unidentified grass, to be returned, and sketch of floret and advanced seed vessel of 'Phyteuma spicatum'. Lost most of his 'Ophrys' specimens; encloses one.

His pleasure at receiving so flattering a letter from Smith, "what a charm is thrown by this delightful science over the most dull & painful hours of sickness".

[Separate note] Does not believes colour should be used as a character for 'Ophrys apifera'; remarks on its colour.

List of plants he considers not generally known, offers to send any specimens: 'Epilobium [densum]', 'E. spicatum', 'Ononis spinosa', 'O. arvensis', 'Iris', 'Tormentilla media', 'Veronica decumbens', and 'V. praecox'.

Thanks for Pleasance's letter. Weather "very hot", and he is going on with his "[English] Flora". Asks that Pleasance give "dear little Pleasy some kisses for [him]". Comments on flowers in the garden, including 'Coreopsis tinctroia', 'Agapanthus', and 'Balsam'. His plans for the next few days.

[Note by Pleasance Smith on recto of second folio] "I think this is my dear James's last letter!".

His son [George William Clinton] who is destined for the medical profession, is enthusiastic in the pursuits of natural history and admires Smith and is sending him some specimens, hints that an acknowledgment would be appreciated. Received Smith's of 26 June. Comments on how much the names of [Thomas William Coke] and Smith are appreciated in his country. [David] Hosack has married "an excellent woman with a splendid fortune".

Small newspaper clipping attached entitled "More Wonders", a humorous piece on natural history curiosities and "gentlemens' corsets".

Thanks for Smith's hospitality in England; sending specimens. Encloses sheet of queries, Smith has inserted his answers to these.