Thanks for hospitality during his stay at Norwich. Literary activities: his work on [Alexander] Pope [(1688-1744), poet] drawing to a conclusion with just the biography to be printed; expecting to publish first part of his botanical work ["Monandrian plants"], in which is giving give the generic and specific characters and descriptions in English as his botanical phraseology is too limited; as Smith and [William] Roxburgh did in "Exotic Botany" and "Flora Indica".

They are correct to think that the reviewer of Smith's "English Flora" in the "Phil. Journal" is [James] Bicheno. Ongoing publication of his "Monandrian Plants"; his biography and new edition of [Alexander] Pope's works complete, prepared for "much controversy & some abuse"; his catalogue of Holkham manuscripts [home of Thomas William Coke] also progressing. Met [Thomas William Coke], Lady Anne [(1803-1844), Coke's wife], and boisterous "little Tom". Leaving London soon; dined with Mrs Martin, Fanny [Smith's sisters], and [Nathaniel] Kindersley [Smith's cousin].

Sends letter via Dr [William Jackson] and Mrs Hooker. Thanks for Smith's letter of 28 January; sorry to hear of death of his "excellent nephew" in India and comments on the "numerous instances" of similar losses of "our young & adventurous friends in the Western world".

Overwhelmed by the literary work he has undertaken, even though he has almost finished work on [Alexander] Pope [(1688-1744), poet] and the third part on "penal jurisprudence". Third and fourth parts of his "Monandrian Plants" about to appear; notes on 'Maranta', 'Phrynium', and 'Thalia', settled by communications from West Indies; 'Myrosma' cultivated abundantly in Martinique and they expect it at [Liverpool] Botanic Garden, worries it might be a 'Phrynium'; an 'Alpinia auriculata' appearing in his next number, along with figure of [Robert] Brown's 'Hellenia cerulea'. Thanks for Smith's good wishes respecting his son, Thomas, who has settled indepently with his "little family" in Camden Town.

[Letter possibly incomplete: no signature or valediction]

Apologises for delay in responding to Smith; he has been in a state of "unaccountable indolence & debility" with his only exertion being the publication of his "Monandrian Plants"; retierates principal point of the work, being to ascertain precise limits of genera 'Maranta', 'Phrynium', and 'Thalia', and settling points on 'Castus'. Received letter from Thomas William Coke; was anxious to hear of Coke's feverish attack. Hopes to meet Smith again soon.

Prevented by his poor health and incessant occupations from joining the Smiths at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke].

Asks Smith's opinion of most recent parts of his "Monandrain Plants", particularly the descriptions. His greatest difficulty has been acquiring species of 'Amomum'; none have flowered [at Liverpool Botanic Garden]; asks if there are any in the drawings Smith received from Dr [Francis] Hamilton for "Exotic Botany". Settled the boundary between 'Maranta' and 'Phrynium', excluding [Georg Friedrich Wilhelm] Meyer's 'Calathea' which he has included in 'Phrynium', though notes that [John] Lindley [(1799-1865), botanist] is trying to establish it in new edition of "Bot. Reg." and Sprengel also recognises it.

Only just received Smith's letter of 7 April [1826]. Pleased by Smith's opinion of his "Monandrian Plants". Discusses plants to be included in his proposed genus 'Matonia', the true 'Cardamom' of the East and 'Renealmia/Alpinia exaltata'; notes on character. Obtained specimens of an 'Amomum' nearly related to Smith's 'A. macrospermum', the 'Zingiber melegueta' of Gaertner. Hopes Smith's family are relieved from the "vexation & anxiety" arising from the character of Mr Martin's business partner; defends himself for not saying anything of it at the time.

Postscript in margin of recto of first folio: on Smith's recommendation giving his synoptical tables in Latin, not English.

Smith's ["English Flora"] will fulfill a "desideratum in the botany of this country that no other hand could have supplied". Discusses forthcoming numbers of his "Monandrian Plants", including: 'Maranta divaricata'; 'Phrynium parkeri'; 'Thalia geniculata'; compared 'Phrynium myrosma' with 'Myrosma canniformis' from Smith's herbarium and identified error by [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow who should have named 'Phrynium capitatum' 'Myrosma capitata'.

Received from Demarara preserved flower of largest 'Amomum', conludes it is the melegueta pepper, or grains of paradise; observations. Committed to finishing his work before visiting Smith. Anxious about Dawson Turner's health. Unsure of reaction to his 'Matonia', which will unite the "finest aromatic plants of the Easter and Western Hemisphere"; asks Smith to review his materials.

The severe winter confined him to home. Dissuades Smith from undertaking a cryptogamic flora after conclusion his present work ["English Flora"] on account of the enormous extent, minuteness of research, and Smith's bad eye-sight; believes such a work unworthy of Smith's station and talents.

Unable to finish his description of 'Amomum melegueta' despite use of Smith's observations and article on 'Melegueta' in "Cyclopedia"; will wait for Smith to see his observations and drawing, with Mr Graves, the colourer, at Peckham, [Surrey]. Included 'Cardamom' plant and 'Renealmia/Alpinia exaltata' in his genus 'Matonia'; defends the latter with references to Smith's "Cyclopedia" article, [William] Roxburgh's "Plants of the Coast of Coromandel", and White's "Linnean Transactions" vol 10 paper ['A Botanical Description and Natural History of the Malabar Cardamom']. Disappointed to not join the Smiths at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke].

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.

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.

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.

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.