Sends this via his niece, Elizabeth Daulby, who is giving evidence on Miss Turner's bill in the House of Lords [annulment of marriage between Ellen Turner and E G Wakefield]. Also sends specimens of flower and fruit of 'Amomum Melegueta' preserved in spirits and his accounts of 'Matonia' and 'Amomum' for Smith's opinion; has asked Mr Graves to show Smith the figures of 'Matonia renealmia' and 'Amomum melegueta' [for Roscoe's "Monandrian Plants"].

Informed by Mr Martin [Smith's brother-in-law] that his son, Frederick, has secured his degree and is likely to become tutor to Lord Lindsay and his brother, heirs of the Ancaster family; hopes this will alleviate some of the Martin family's misfortunes. Concedes to Smith's opinions regarding a cryptogamic volume following ["English Flora"].

His friend and partner, [Thomas] Leyland [(? 1752-1827), merchant and banker], died last Sunday, leaving a rumoured £1,500,000. Broods on his increasing physical and mental debilities and recent deaths of his only sister, most of his old companions, his son Robert's only son, and daughter Levon's daughter. Sends copy of American book just received.

Condolences on death of Mr Reeve. His botanical work ["Mondandrian Plants"] drawing to conclusion, 12 numbers of expected 15 or 16 published; satisfied with its reception but wishes he had published a larger number. Pleased Smith approves the generic character of 'Matonia', it is nearest allied to 'Roscoea'. Convinced that the 'Cardamom' plant of the east and the 'Renealmia' plant of the west are of the same genus and suggests 'Matonia' for them.

Regrets the only two plants he has not obtained living flowers of are 'Costus speciosus' and 'Alpinia malaccensis', though he has introduced the latter to the [Liverpool] Botanic Garden and area; asks permission to republish Smith's figure of 'C. speciosus'. His acknowledgments for 'Roscoea' will appear with the account of the genus when the work is bound.

Pestered with many letters, Roscoe's excepted. After returning to Norwich he will spend a fortnight finishing fourth volume of "English Flora", interrupted by Muscial Festival, and ending with a trip to Holkham where they expect to see Roscoe; he does not want to go later and encounter shooting parties and hopes to meet "a most amiable & accomplished young man of fortune, Mr Edw[ar]d Lombe, MP" [(1799-1852), landowner and philanthropist], who longs to know Roscoe.

Pleased Roscoe's ["Monandrian Plants"] has succeeded so well. Agrees with the character of 'Matonia' but discusses difficulty of establishing it over the 'Renealmia' established by Linnaeus, which he thought an 'Alpinia', and the new 'Renealmia' established by [Robert] Brown. Rejoices that in parting with 'Matonia' they can also legally get rid of 'Elettaria'; Decandolle, "with all his wrong-headed zeal", will not attempt to uphold this, though 'Elettaria' is an old name as he professes to keep all of Linnaeus' names, as 'Renealmia' is.

Thanks for Roscoe's sympathies. Suffering from rheumatism in his eyes, as last winter. Must soon continue work on "Flora Graeca". Never published a figure of 'Costus speciosus', though Jacquin has it in his "Icones [plantarum rariorum]", and he published the characters in "Linnean Transactions" vol 1[see RelatedMaterial below]. Roscoe's gardeners will make 'Costus speciosus' and 'Alpinia malaccensis' flower with great heat, drought, or starvation.

Returns Smith's "Linnaeus", may ask to borrow it again. Praises Linnaeus' character.

His infirm health and increasing debility prevent him from joining the Smiths at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]; reflections on approaching death. Endeavouring to finish his literary work with all reasonable speed: revising his catalogue of Holkham manuscripts for last time, including Mr Madden's additions; finishing his "Mondandrian Plants" with the 15th number; and finishing his pamphlet on American penitentiary system with advocation for a system equally desireable in this country if not for its "old institutions & inveterate prejudices".

Thanks for Smith's remarks on his descriptions of Monandrian plants and assents to Smith's opinion regarding 'Renealmia'; will place in it the 'Cardamom' plant, radical flowering 'Alpinia', and other plants which according to their system are not in any other genus. Received from [William] Carey [(1761-1834)] in Serampore four flowers of 'Curcuma' preserved in spirits. Had been anxious about [Nathaniel] Wallich after hearing he had remained behind the embassy among the Burmese, but now hears he is expected in about a month with an "immense cargo" of living and dried plants including 'Curcuma' and 'Crina'; the 'Scitamineae' Wallich promised him will be too late for his purposes now.

His brother[-in-law] Mr Martin has not succeeded. Pleased to hear Roscoe so close to end of his ["Monandrian Plants"], which is "one of the few really original, valuable & learned works in Botany that this age has seen"; wishes he could review it in Taylor's "Philosophical Magazine". "English Flora" nearly printed and about to start work on "Flora Graeca".

Debilitated by a low catarrhous complaint which ended in a serious and painful ophthalmia. Sorry Roscoe could not visit this year; he himself could not go to Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]. Glad Roscoe accedes to 'Renealmia', as Reneaulme "deserved a good genus"; has his "very curious" book which the [Bauhins] never quote, which is commented on by Linnaeus, should Roscoe also wish to.

Finished fourth volume of "English Flora" except for the printing, and now working on continuing "Flora Graeca"; hopes to reach the conclusion during the winter. His eyes have recovered. [Thomas William Coke] expecting them both to visit Holkham in the spring, Dawson Turner is currently there. Sorry to hear of Roscoe's health problems; his own.

Suffered a stroke on 16 December, affecting his speech and right-hand side of his body, but much recovered after copious bleeding, blistering, and other remedies; still confined to his library. Finished his catalogue of the Holkham manuscripts, although [Thomas William] Coke has postponed its publication. His botanical work ["Monandrian Plants"] almost completed. Shortly before his stroke he concluded his correspondence with New York respecting the discipline in the prisons there, closing his investigation, so for the first time in many years free from any literary engagements.

According to Linnaean sexual system, with headings "Monandria" and "Diandria".

[Probably from Roscoe's working papers for his "Monandrian plants of the order Scitamineae.." (1828)]

Sketch drawings in ink and pencil of reproductive organs of 'Canna', 'Maranta', 'Thalia', 'Myrosma', 'Alpinia', 'Zingiber', 'Amomum', 'Costus', 'Kaempferia', 'Curcuma', 'Colebrookia', and 'Gen. nov. au. Bot.'. Labels for 'Phrynium' and 'Philydrum' but no drawings.

[Probably from Roscoe's working papers for his "Monandrian plants of the order Scitamineae.." (1828)]

Observations: 'Hellenia' of Retzius and Willdenow appears to be 'Alpinia'; 'Renealmia' omitted, 'Renealmia exaltata' resembles 'Globba uviformis' and 'Renealmia' of Andrews Bot Rep are 'Alpinia'; 'Amomum' divided into 'Zingiber' and 'Amomum'; 'Amomum zedoaria' is a 'Curcuma'; 'Hornstedtia' of Willdenow to be considered; 'Alpinia comosa' of Willdenow is a 'Costus'; and 'Globba' to be further examined.

[Probably from Roscoe's working papers for his "Monandrian plants of the order Scitamineae.." (1828)]

Unable to wait on Smith this morning as her maid is ill; apologises for what little she is now sending but cannot easily make out Linnaeus' writing. Requests some of [Daniel] Solander's letters to translate.

Apologises for not sending any fresh translations [of Linnaean correspondence]. She has arranged the letters so as they can be sent back to her on her return. She is taking the German letters with her to Hertfordshire; proposes to call on Smith on her return so as to translate Linnaeus' "little book". Requests any further [Carl Peter] Thunberg, [Anders] Sparrman [(1748-1820)], or [Christopher] Tärnström [(1711-1746)] letters Smith might have found.

Returns two letters of [Fredrick] Logie [(1739-1785)] to Linnaeus, with rough translations.

She has translated the three Danish letters. She is keeping the beginning of a letter from [Uno] von Troil [(1746-1803), Swedish archbishop], suspects Smith may have the other half. Thanks for copy of "Correspondence of Linnaeus".

Returns all the papers Smith has entrusted her with, except part of one of [Daniel] Solander's letters. If Smith cannot find the rest of Solander's letters asks that she could be let to look over others.

Sends her translation of [Peter Frederick] Suhm's [(1728-1798), historian] notes on the state of gardening and the "indications of spring" in Norway and Denmark; apologises for its poor quality.

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.

Queries Smith's article on 'Vaccinium' in [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia": considers 'V. virgatum' and 'V. fuscatum' as probably one species, and disagrees that they are both varieties of 'V. corymbosum' ; considers 'V. galeformis' variety of 'V. corymbosum; encloses specimens of 'V. marianum', 'V. grandiflorum', and unknown 'Vaccinium', observations, Smith has annotated his responses. Also 'V. salicinum' and 'V. vergatum' listed.

A dinner with Correa, [Robert] Brown, [Charles] Konig, and Hare; Mr Forster thinks Correa's mental powers are failing. Correa's opinion of America. Walked to [Stoke] Newington and visited the Aikins, Mrs Barbauld, Mrs Lee, and Revd Mr Bransby. Unable to see [Nathaniel] Kindersley [Smith's cousin] before he goes to India. Visited Loddiges [plant nursery] where they have raised hundreds of 'Rhododendrum arboreum' from his seeds. His future activities. Has not heard anything yet about their journey to Southampton._x000D_

[Explanatory notes in pencil, by another hand, on first folio]_x000D_

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] presumed destroyed]