Unsure if the packet of dried plants he sent Smith March [1804] has reached England yet. Sending another small collection of plants, and if and when he is settled as a missionary here he will send for his herbarium and be more forthcoming with specimens. Sending drawing and description [both extant] of 'Polyandria' ['Magnoliaceae'], the drawing is by [Elizabeth Gwillim (1763-1807)], wife of Sir Henry Gwillim, Justice of the Supreme Court of Jurisdiction at Madras; Lady Gwillim says she has sent a living plant to England. Sorry Smith's parcel to him of 1802 was lost.

Description of 'Polyandria enneagynia' [see RelatedMaterial below for drawing].

Lady Rockingham's [Mary Watson-Wentworth] character. She was 68 years old on 4 August last year. Himself, Mrs Thornton, and Grieg, her gardener, attended her to her burial in York with two mourning coaches of 6 horses each in addition to 6 horses on hearse and another mourning coach and 6 horses which met her at Doncaster, [Yorkshire], on orders of [William Fitzwilliam, 4th Earl] Fitzwilliam [(1748-1833)]. A great number of her Badsworth, [Yorkshire], tenants and her respectable friends were at York, and a great number of shops were shut up as a mark of respect.

Regrets that Hillingdon and all the stock are to be sold but does not yet know about the plants.

List of local plants and habitats. Informs Smith that [Thomas] Hutton [(fl 1780s-1820s)] of Keswick, [Cumberland] is "a sad ignorant imposter" who does not know the most common plants.

[Letter incomplete: first half appears to be missing]

His son's success at Oxford. Sir Joseph Banks doing better than last year and "hobbles up and down stairs on every occassion without sparing himself". The Institution flourishes and is thronged every day but has not been able to hear Mrs Sidney Smith's "Essays on good jokes" yet. His brother to have "the fatigue of being [...] the Cannister to the Duke of Clarence's Tail at the Installation", received his "beautiful little work on the blight in wheat".

Notes on [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's "A description of the genus Pinus" and errors with Balm of Gilead fir; Dr Hardname, librarian at Sir Joseph Banks' [Jonas Dryander] admitted it was wrong. Encloses a handbill ["Advertisement of the exhibition of a living Llama at Brooke's Menagerie, 242, Piccadilly", see RelatedMaterial below] on the "pacos" of Linnaeus, his own observations: it is not the llama which is the larger species, about seven months old, has many beautiful points with "fine eyes, & much affection in its manners", and it spits when teased but its saliva is not corrosive; includes small ink sketch of back of its head and neck and profile.

Relates an experiment of July 1803 on cut branches of young oaks smeared with Forsyth's ointment; till summer of 1804 there was no attempt renew the bark and concludes that amputation early in the season is necessary for success. Latest volume of "Linnean Transactions" "most respectably engraved".

Thanks for Smith's letter received yesterday; forwarded its enclosed letter to Dublin. Glad Smith likes the second volume of his Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] translation; the "British critic has used me handsomely, the Edinburgh very well, but has shown great ignorance". White [publisher] has the third volume and will have the fourth in May. Blasts those he thought his friends; in future shall "keep the world at a distance". Discusses his planned transations of other French chroniclers: [Jean de] Joinville [(1224-1317)] and [Enguerrand de] Monstrelet [(1400-1453)]. Will be happy to see Smith and Mrs [Pleasance] Smith in August.

Asks in which book they can find a 'Volkameria', a "beautiful cocinea spiry plant", which he has but unable to find in any of his books, would be grateful to Smith for any seeds. His conservatory and garden prospering, especially since making his cook also his gardener. [William] Roscoe's severe fit of gout is delaying his "[Life and Pontificate of] Leo X". Praises drawing skills of Mariamne [Johnes, his daughter]; he thinks her copies of the etchings in Spencer's "Leonora" are equal to the originals.

Praises Smith's "Exotic Botany"; flattered by the dedication. Criticises Smith for his treatment of "the poor snail" [Smith's response to criticism of his "Flora Britannica" in the "Monthly Magazine"] and thinks [William Fitt] Drake would have handled it better; applauds Drake's appearance in "Annals of Botany". Approves Smith's title page for "Flora Graeca". Saw Frederick Smith [Smith's brother] in Liverpool; looking forward to visit by Smith and Mrs [Pleasance] Smith.

Rejoices with Smith on the "happy events" [probably birth of a child to Smith's sister, Mrs Fanny Martin, resident in Liverpool] and was delighted to meet Mrs Smith [Smith's mother]. Has discussed Smith's upcoming Liverpool lectures with Mr Martin; anticipating Smith, Mrs [Pleasance] Smith, and [William Fitt] Drake's stay at Allerton. Admires plan and execution of Smith's "Exotic botany", but believes it needs better advertisement. Expects his "Leo" to be published in London in May.

Letter to Smith delayed by work and a feverish cold but has seen Mrs Smith, Mr and Mrs Martin [Smith's sister], and their son. Subscription for Smith's Liverpool lectures has opened headed by Prince William Frederick [(1776-1834)], the Mayor, Dr Brandreth, and 30 more; confident the subscription will match or exceed the last course. His book "Leo" complete, gives his opinion of it.

Laments [James] Currie [(1756-1805), physician and author] and Clarke, who both died shortly after Smith left Liverpool. Remarks on positive change in character of his son, James, following his return to Allerton after long absence [training under Samuel Taylor of Norfolk, farmer]. Thanks for Smith's letter of observations and specimens; convinced his system will withstand criticism but has struggled to write dissertation on it.

Has learnt via [William Fitt] Drake that after receiving a "very violent" letter from [Richard] Salisbury, Smith has terminated all further intercourse; [Roscoe] glad Salisbury has shown himself publically, thus making the split justifiable and proper.

Reports on unexpected docking of "The Investigator" at Liverpool on way to Plymouth, and encounter with the two naturalists [Robert] Brown and [Ferdinand] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist]; their collections could not be opened or seen but informed they found only one Scitamineae, an 'Alpinia'. Smith has a start on them with "Exotic botany".

Postscript on left-hand side of verso of first folio: returns "valuable specimen" of the "Arur. Cardamom", keeping the other specimens for present.

Replies to Smith's letter of 20 November: yet to see the letters [copies of acrimonious correspondence sent between Richard Salisbury and Smith] but is glad to hear that Smith has acted with the "most decisive conduct" and believes the estrangement must be "absolute & total". [Robert] Brown and [Ferdinand] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist] do not feel threatened by Smith's "Exotic botany", though they were surprised on being shown the first numbers by [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden]. Prevented from sending Smith his dissertation on the "Monandrian plants".

Death of his mother-in-law, Mrs Manning; account of her last hours and death on 6 March, day of his and Mrs Woodward's birth. Thanks for introduction to [William] Roscoe, who made a short visit. Glad Smith's mother is to make a visit to Liverpool. Expects to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting.

Proceeded by extract from the "Edinburgh Review", pointing out errors in Smith's synonyms [in "Flora Britannica"?]. Visited the Maurice; their daughter found a pine stag beetle, first time of it being found in that neighbourhood, thinks the larva may have been brought there from Hampshire; she has seen a beautiful, lively, opaque grass-green beetle with a yellow spot on each wing. If what the "Annual Review" speaks of tours being in as much request as novels is true, Smith ought to make much of his "Lapland Journey" ["Lachesis Lapponica"]. Urges Smith to read review of "Flora Britannica" in the "Annual Review" and what, "in the name of your fair country women", they advise him to do; alarmed to learn what a name Smith has for "gallantry".

Her father wrote a response to Mr Everett's pamphlet [attacking Mr Reeve's "overgrown power" as steward of Manor of Lowestoft] against himself but decided not to publish; transcribes an extract. A regiment of Fifeshire militia men posted at Lowestoft, the "soberest soldiers ever known", who instead of getting drunk club together to hire books to read.

[Note in Smith's hand] discusses obtaining drawing of 'Nymphae' from [James] Sowerby.

Entreats Smith to publish a botanical work "adapted to the understanding of the English Ladies", being convinced from his lectures that it would be free from the "indelicacy" of books already published, and better adapted to those who only know English.

The managers have declined Smith's proposal for additions to his lectures on account of not being within their finances, but have resolved to pay Smith £5 for any additional lectures, limited to 4.

[Smith noted his reply on recto of first folio]: Accepts the terms and will prepare to give 12 or 14 lectures, requests that they be on Tuesday and Wednesdays.

Very rough sketch, in pencil, of horse and part of carriage, on recto of second folio.

Concerned to hear of Smith's distress, hopes the fever and pain are reduced. Writing to Lord Seaforth may be beneficial to Linnean Society; he has a natural history assistant called Symmonds. Regrets Smith's differences with [Richard] Salisbury; does not think Smith would "discriminate between resentment & revenge"; anxious that as the Society is in its infancy and the Royal Society jealous of its success and "party work" that arises may be fatal to its prospects.

Has progressed with marine plants this season; correspondence with [Dawson] Turner; encloses specimen of 'Fucus lycopodiodes' found yesterday at Lossiemouth.

[Spec 5 written in pencil on verso of folio]

Sends manuscript of his work ["Index plantarum" (1807)] for Smith's opinion. Comments on current "deranged" state of plant names, thanks to alterations by Willdenow and others. Difficulties procuring Willdenow's "Species plantarum"; would like to see "Flora Graeca"; admires Smith's "Exotic botany". List of Willdenow plant names.

Returns Sir Joseph Banks' pamphlet on wheat blight; observations on blight. Uncertain whether he has ever seen barberry plants at Rollesby, [Norfolk], and though he acknowledges the poor soil has never heard of any remarkable wheat blight. Has never seen confirmation of barberry causing blight but knows of a tenant who is eradicating all barberry in the hedges around his fields. Hopes the seeds of the blighted grass have blown across to Europe to do their enemies "more damage than the Catamarans have done". Wonders whether night of severe frost in June may have caused the blight; other observations on wheat blight and Banks' remarks. Speculates on airborne seed of fungus.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 4 [November 1805]. Expects [Richard] Salisbury's "passions" to "recoil on himself with double impetus"; first he has heard of "Paradisus Loninensis". Reassures Smith regarding "Flora Graeca". Asks if Smith took any notice of specimen of 'Alisma repens' he sent in former letter. Pleased report that Sir Robert Williams, MP, will no longer be taking a long absence. Requests any spare 'Salix' specimens.

Thanks for Smith's paper for "Annals of Botany", which will appear in the next number, currently delayed. Reminds Smith of his intention to name a plant alluded to in a paper on the irritability of the sexual organs of plants. Discusses wording of title of "Flora Graeca". Death of [Martin] Vahl [(1749-1804), botanist], regrets this on account of strength of his ["Enumeratio plantarum"] vol 1. Death of [Heinrich] Noehden.

Concerned Smith's copy of his edition of [Richard] Pulteney's ["A general view of the writings of Linnaeus"] has miscarried. Remarks on the book, including his decision not to explain the Linnaean system and not to discuss the collections in depth.