Pleased by addition Smith has made to the [Liverpool Botanic Garden] herbarium. A Botanic Garden in Glasgow is on the verge of being established, with a public subscription of £4000 to be raised, to which the College has given £2000; delighted by spread of botanic gardens to large towns and considers possibility of same in Norwich. Thanks for gift of Smith's "Compendium [florae Britannicae]"; keen to see his "historical & critical" article in [Rees'] "Encyclopedia".

[Robert] Southey [(1774-1843), poet and reviewer] is a "miserable figure" and unsure whether his letter to [William] Smith "excites more pity or disgust" [after Smith made critical remarks on Southey's youthful play "Wat Tyler", which had just been published against his will]; the world "too indulgent" of "these converts who play tricks with their personal identity"; praises Smith's rebuke. His daughter Jane fully recovered.

Forwarded Smith's letter to Mr Napier. Pleased Smith will be at Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Hears from [Alexander] MacLeay that [Thomas] Marsham is unwell; hopes this is not a ruse to avoid payment of the money Marsham owes the Society. Smith's information about [Edward] Rudge "without a shadow of foundation".

Thanks for Smith's letter and his notice of her drawings of 'Fungi'. Hopes Smith will visit her if he comes to Derby, or [Francis] Boott if Matlock, [Derbuyshire]. Forwards further drawing of a 'Rhizomorpha' and section of the reservoir in which it was found growing by Mr Bainbrigge of the Infirmary. Apologises for not previously sending drawing.

Sorry Smith is unlikely to be in London as early as expected on account of ill health. Will not attend Linnean Society anniversary dinner on 24 [May] as the state of his health compels him to avoid "as much as possible hot & crowded rooms", but will attend the meeting to be admitted as FLS.

Will communicate what Smith says of 'Trifolium macrorrhizum' to [George] Sinclair.

Resigning as FLS to reduce his expenses as his professional situation [Dean of Chester] causes him to subscribe to many charitable institutions.

Thanks for observations Smith made on [unnamed] specimens. Sends seeds and seedpods of 'Trifolium macrorhizum' and 'T. officinale' for Smith to determine whether they are distinct or not. His own opinion, based on his experiences of growing them, is that 'T. macrorhizum' is a variety of 'T. officinale'.

Annoyed that the second edition of his "Nereis Britannica" was not presented to the Linnean Society, generally dissatisfied with the work but hopes it may inspire others. Surprised by [Dawson] Turner's abrupt conclusion to the "Hist. Fucorum". Received Lamoureux's essay on "Thalapiophytes", a complete arrangement of sea plants by order, published in "Annals du Museum National". Offers to send it to Smith as he believes that with the section on 'Filicus' in the last edition of Gmelin's "Systema [naturae]" it will simplify Smith's work for his "Flora". Has copies to sell of Lamoureux's "Histoire des Polypiers Coralligenus flexibles".