Received Smith's letter of 24 April [1810]. Suffering from severe headaches, for which he has just returned from a retreat in the upper provinces; was unable to pursue any natural history inclinations and has become a "much worse botanist" than when he left England; preparing to visit the Cape [of Good Hope] or St Helena for the headaches, and will also visit England if they persist. Whilst at Cawnpore found 'Rhododendrun boorans' for Calcutta Botanic Garden and Marquis of Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill]; [William] Roxburgh sending drawing taken from dried specimen. Also found: 'Berberris ilicifolia', 'Rubus' with yellow fruit, a 'Quercus', 'Pinus longifolia', and a 'Betula'. Transplanted a tree from Cawnpore to Calcutta Botanic Garden, Roxburgh thinks it a 'Humea'; observations.

Has a specimen of 'Breccia' or pudding stone, a mineral, for Sir Joseph Banks. Pleased to hear of Banks' desire to establish a Botanic Garden at Ceylon. Concerned to hear of [Robert] Brown's desertion of the Linnaean School.

Left Bengal for restoration of his health and long abscence from that climate. Intends to tour the island and examine its natural productions. Sent a cabinet of insects of Bengal and surrounding sea coasts for the Linnean Society; details concerning its delivery. Intends to stay on Mauritius for 4 months before going on to Cape [of Good Hope], and may be in England next summer. Observations on climate. Accompanied by Captain Roughsedge of Liverpool.

Happy to hear of Smith's health, hope he can keep in advance of [Abraham] Rees' "amazing rate" [for "Cyclopedia"]. Declines undertaking publication of "Correspondence of Linnaeus" for present on account of unfavourable times, does not expect Smith would find success with another publisher. Editorial advice should Smith proceed with publication.

Introduces himself. Sends list of habitats of various indigenous plants [see RelatedMaterial below]. Sends a 'Lichen' and a 'Sphaeria' for determination. He has been conducting experiments on the 'Berberis communis' and obtained results similar to those in "Philosophical Transactions [of the Royal Society]". Also sends paper on botanical societies in Manchester [see RelatedMaterial below].

Proposes formation of a "Linnean Club" from among the "more zealous and respectable members" of the Society, with 15 to 20 members. [Alexander] Macleay, Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough], and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert all approve; its intentions.

Apologises for not attending to Smith's invitation. Invites Smith to dinner.

Encouraged to write to Smith by "conviction of the liberality of [his] mind, and [his] readiness to assist the younger part of the community, displayed in [his] valuable works". Encloses specimen of an 'Endocarpon' of [Erik] Acharius, found on river Tyne, and identified by [Dawson] Turner as 'Endocarpon leptophyllum' Acharius and 'Lichen lectophyllus' of "English botany"; and "shields" of what Turner calls 'Parmelia turneri', accompanying 'Verrucaria amphibola' Acharius; observations.

Thanks for Smith's letter, just received; will be glad to have Smith's criticisms on the "Tab[ula] Syst[ematica]", as in addition to Smith's own practical botanical knowledge he has assistance of [John] Sibthorp herbarium. His hopes for future usefulness of his "Illustrationes Theophrasti". Sorry he is to miss Linnean Society anniversary meeting, hopes Smith may visit him near Liverpool in August.

Points out that several mosses recently published in "English botany" and credited as being sent by [James Townsend] Mackay [(1775-1862), curator of Botanic Garden, Trinity College, Dublin] and [John] Templeton [(1766-1825), father of Irish natural history] are in the large parcel of mosses he sent 3 or 4 years ago.

Encloses rare specimen of 'Op. vulg.' ['Ophioglossum vulgatum'?] from Dublin mountains, found by Dr Ogilbie.

[Spec 27 written in pencil at head of folio]

Encloses a moss he takes to be 'Dicranum strumiferum' of "Flora Britannica" [determined by Smith as 'Bartamia fontana'].

Observations on Smith's remarks on 'Hypericum calycinum' in "English botany" and "Linnean Transactions"; does not think it ought to be considered indigenous; reminds Smith of the instance some years ago when it was thought 'Acorus grammineus' had been found growing wild, later found to be false.

[Spec 28 written in pencil at head of folio]

Introduces Mr Patterson of Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia, and asks for him to be introduced to the "scientific charcters of England". Asks to be remembered to his friends, particularly [Richard] Salisbury. Leaving for Philadelphia in a few weeks.

Has given [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert all the plants he collected on his travels on condition of receiving descriptions of any new species and a list of the whole, and instructions that any duplicates be sent onto Smith. Particularly anxious to know whether Smith has received all the 60 new species belonging to the Grecian collection.

Requests specimen of foliage of 'Ulmus campestris', following Benjamin [Meggot Forster's] sending him Dutch elm, believes may be Willdenow's 'Ulmus suberosa' and remarks that Smith's 'Ulmus suberosa' and 'Ulmus gabra' are often the same. Asks to delay publication of the 'Scrophularia' he sent [James] Sowerby as it was not wild, intends to send new specimen. Asks for specimen of 'Salix glauca'. Postscript that Lord Moira believes it impossible for the Prince Regent to be anything but a patron.

Thanks for turkey. Sir James Graham [1st baronet, (d 1824)] cannot expect to be made vice-president if elected to Linnean Society Council, on the Council's recommendation, he as he has only attended the Society once.

His health much better but his "perfect recovery will require much time". Pleased to hear of Smith's recovery from his "very severe" summer illness.

Linnean Society continues to get many candidates for admission but few papers; requests a paper for next meeting. [William] Smith and [Charles Sinclair] Cullen elected FLS; [Thomas Thynne, 2nd] Marquess of Bath [(1765-1837)] and Bishop of Salisbury [John Fisher (1748-1838)] now both candidates. Informed by [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert some time ago that the Prince [Regent, later George IV (1762-1830)] was to become the Society's royal patron, has not heard anything since. Asks if [William George] Maton has written to Smith on proposed Linnean Dining Club; some "not very friendly to the plan" but he likes it much.

Returning to Sciliy. Asks Smith to give an opinion on debate between Arrosio and [Antonio] Bivona [Bernardi]. Reminisces on his time in London, including visits to Linnean Society with Humphry Davy in attendance, and human anatomy with Bell and Wilson. Smith replied 23 [Nov 1811].

Has been staying at Sir Richard Hoare's, along with Bishop of Salisbury [John Fisher (1748-1825)], his wife, and [John] Constable [(1776-1837) painter], who is patronised by the Bishop and is making views of the area; he is "well acquainted" with Smith having dined at his house in Norwich. Persuaded Bishop to become a FLS. Enquires whether Smith has given up his genus of 'Duchesnea'.

Obtained a 'Melaleuca caurina' from the Fonthill Sale [home of William Beckford (1760-1844)]. Has enjoyed the "Lapland Tour" ["Lachesis Lapponica"]. Lists publications recently acquired from Paris including: "Annals du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle"; [Kurt] Sprengel's "Philiosophia Botanica"and "Historia Rei Herbaria"; [Aubert Aubert Du] Petit-Thouars' "Essais Sur La Vegetation"; [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon's "Synopsis plantarum"; [Andre] Michaux's [(1746-1802)] "Histoiredes arbres forestiers de l'Amerique Septentrionale"; [Tussac's] "Flore des Antilles" containing 'Alstroemeria edulis'; three new numbers of [Alexander von] Humboldt's [from his voyage to South America] containing 'Bonplandia trifoliata' and 'Mikania guaco'.

Glad genus 'Lamium' he sent was better than he expected, looks forward to seeing it in [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia". Visited Cassiobury Park, Hertfordshire, home of Lord Essex [George Capel-Coningsby, 5th Earl of Essex (1757-1839)], guests included the Duchess of Leeds, Lady de Clifford the younger, Lady Monson, Lords of Ross and Jersey, and Lord Erskine. Nominated as auditor of Royal Society accounts alongside Sir Joseph Banks, Lord Valentia [George Annesley], and Sam Davis, India director. Praises work of Sello [presumably Lambert's assistant], intimate friend and pupil of [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow, he went through herbarium of [Alexander von] Humboldt and [Aimé] Bonpland. Given Lady Staunton's [Jane Staunton (1753-1823) wife of Sir George Leonard Staunton, 1st baronet (1737-1801)] China collection, "the greatest collection except Pallas" he ever received, will send Smith duplicates. Requests specimen of 'Lathyrus amphicarpos'. [Richard] Salisbury working on 'Erica'. Will send Smith all of [Peter] Collinson's [(1694-1768)] papers when Banks has finished with them, [Robert] Brown thinks them curious.

Account of recent travels: visited May Island in the Firth of Forth and Bell Rock Lighthouse [built 1807-1810], "our Scottish Eddystone" [Eddystone Lighthouse, off coast of Devon], and a botanical excursion in Perthshire with James Brown who showed him 'Linnaea borealis'. Observations on specimens of heather sent to Smith, asks if one is 'Andromeda coerulea'. Received 'Epimedium alpinum' from Inverness with "mica about the roots", proof that it is indigenous.

Account of a tour of the Hebrides last summer: sailed round the north of Scotland to the Giants Causeway in Ireland in a month with Dr Barlcay, Mr Oliphant, and [Robert] Stevenson [(1772-1850)], engineer of Bell Rock lighthouse. Encountered nothing notable except in mineralogy, plants included: 'Sison verticillatum', 'Hypericum androsaemum', 'Cotyledon umbilicus', and 'Lythrum salicaria'. Observations on rocks, a bay in Antrim superior to Giants Causeway, the rocks hung with 'Asplenium marinum'. Lewis Isles "sterility itself". A bed of 'Serpentine' on Glass Island, the lighthouse keeper aware of excellency of 'Agrostis alba' as winter feed for his cow but unaware of fiorin grass. Saw Macalister's Cave in Skye with 'Rhodelia rosea' and 'Scolopendrum vulgare' and pretty but "ungrand "stalactites. At Orkney [William Jackson] Hooker and [William] Borrer were asked after by the inhabitants. At Aberdeen intended to see [James] Beattie but arrived just in time for his funeral.

Mr Macnab from Kew "doing wonders" at Edinburgh Botanic Garden but frustrated by lack of funds, the 'Dracaena draco' is to cut over in the autumn unless £40-£50 is found to raise its glass roof so it can survive the winter, wishes the Prince Regent was aware of the situation.