Thanks for turkey and parcel of Nepal mosses. Deaths of [Erik] Acharius, [Christiaan] Persoon, and [Daniel Rutherford], professor of botany at Edinburgh; understands it is a government appointment and already filled, though it would suit Smith.

Thanks for "little publication" sent by Smith, though a defect in his sight prevents him from reading it. Hopes to see Smith soon.

Found 'Buxbaumia aphylla' in Peebleshire this autumn, within two miles of the place he gathered it last year; observations. Found a sufficient number of specimens to include it in his "Hortus Cryptogamicus Edinensis", which is just about to be published. The other species, 'Buxbaumia foliosa', is not rare in this area. Encloses specimen of the 'Buxbaumia aphylla'.

Received Smith's letter of 24 [November 1819]; pleased to find he has discovered a new natural history fact, even if "so little interest as the duration of a moss". Offers to send specimen of 'Vaucharia humata' in spring, which he published as a British specimen in June last.

Discusses recent developments in classification and nomenclature with reference to [Alexander von] Humboldt, Persoon, and De Beauvois. Discusses genus 'Buxbaumia' and discovery by [Robert] Brown regarding leaves on the bulb, with reference to [William Jackson] Hooker, Sir Joseph Banks, and Micheli. Has been studying the Acharian method for three years but unsatisfied regarding synonyms of compound terms, discussion of this. Discussion regarding how to unify the fungi systems of [James] Sowerby and [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon. Encloses "trivial collection of mosses". Edinburgh has been "plunged" into a "botanical lethargy" for some time. Offers to acquire any Scottish plants for Smith.

[Spec 26 written in pencil at head of verso of first folio]

Invites Smith to lecture at the Philosophical Institution; he has long desired that Birmingham might share with Liverpool the opportunity of hearing Smith speak, but they can only offer a fee of 100 guineas as the Insitution is in financial difficulties, there is only one private botanic garden from which to obtain plants, and the lighting of the room may present difficulties. Offers to accomodate Smith for the duration.

Smith has annotated on recto of second folio: "yes".

Concerned to hear of Smith's indisposition; it has been agreed he appears tonight as Smith's substitute, though on a general topic and not botany; will inform the audience Smith hopes to lecture on Monday.

Thanks for Smith's "truly admirable pamphlet", pleased by the mention of her opal but most pleased by the moderate refutation of Smith's detractors, Professor South and the Quarterly Review. Especially pleased with the third chapter and 97th page of the last chapter.

[Letter incomplete: sections cropped, presumed destroyed]

Sends coloured drawing [extant] of what he believes to be an undescribed 'Syngnathus' after having consulted [Johann Friedrich] Gmemlin's [(1748-1804) naturalist] "Systema Naturae". Proposes to name it 'Syngnathus pentagonus', detailed description follows. Has recently suffered from a severe recurrence of his hematuria.

Coloured drawing of two fish, labelled "'Gasterosteus spinnachia' Linn., 15-spined Stickle-back of Pennant" by Smith and 'Syngnathus pentagonus' by Davies.

Since his last letter has been "seized with a paroxysm of gout in both hands and feet". Sends specimen of a "stranger", annotated in the margin by Smith 'Rubus'. Refers to the drawing of a fish he sent in his last letter, believing it to be the "15 spined stickleback figured by Pennant" but believes other aspects of it make it of the genus 'Syngnathus". Wishes Smith luck with the "English British Flora". Sends another specimen, Smith has annotated above 'Sagina procumbens'.

Introducing her son Henri.

Received Smith's letter of 16 September, pleased he is "assisting the cause of Botany in Liverpool" [establishment of botanic garden] and hopes to see some of [Nathaniel] Wallich's Nepalese plants there. Wallich "works like a horse" dispatching plants from Calcutta Botanic Garden around the world. Hopes to return to England in 1821. His studies have focused on zoology rather than botany, receiving specimens from Nepal through Wallich's intercourse, the country is rich in 'Phasianus'. Has a "fine Alligator's head for the Society", 'Crocodilus' of [George] Shaw, and a 'Gangeticus' [gharial], figures in Shaw ["General Zoology"?] are "wretched". Pleased Smith has grown a 'Rhododendron' from the seeds he sent, would like the credit of introducing the first Indian species to England, "they do not thrive in the moist air of Bengal". Has requested latest volumes of "Linnean Transactions" and "Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society" from [William George] Maton.

Wishes to meet Smith and see the Linnaean herbarium..

Thanks for turkey. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert unable to write as suffering from a toothache. A vote at the Linnean Society led by Lambert failed in removing the "tanners' and some other house", smell so offensive that [William George] Maton had to leave before dinner was over. A mild winter. Describes attractions of Boyton House, Wiltshire, including gardens. Praises Smith's "sublime hymns". Discusses poetry including "odditys [sic]"of Lord Byron and Lord [Thomas] Erskine's [1st Baron Erskine (1750-1823), lord chancellor] poem "The Farmer's Vision". Sir Joseph [Banks] ill, discussion of [Sarah Sophia] Banks' will [(1744-1818), sister of Banks and collector of antiquarian items, ]. Has seen Lady Banks and the Countess Bentinck, and Maton in connection with Banks' health.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. [James Henry] Monk's [(1784-1856) Regius Professor of Greek, Cambridge] attack on Smith in "Quarterly Review". Believes Smith will never carry the professorship or lectureship, due in part to changing circumstances in professorships at Sidney Sussex College. Observes he and Sir Joseph Banks were negligent in supporting James Donn [(1758-1813)] and [Arthur] Biggs [(1765-1848)] for curatorship of Botanic Garden without fully knowing their religious persuasions.

Introduces Michaud.

His father [Franz Karl Mertens] suffering from a "tedious & painfull" indisposition of his eyes, so on his father's behalf thanks Smith for present of willow cuttings, but as only nine of the eighteen specimens have grown requests fresh replacements and asks that they to be sent via his brother-in-law Theodore Zimmermann. Lists those willows that grew at end of letter: 'Salix malifolia', 'Salix russelliana', 'Salix acuminata', 'Salix lanceolata', 'Salix hirta', 'Salix rubra', 'Salix purpurea', 'Salix decipiens', and 'Salix phylicifolia'.

Relates history of his edition of Linnaeus' "Systema vegetabilium" produced with [Johann Jacob] Römer [(1763-1819), Swiss physician and botanist] and others, asks Smith to give his blessing to the project and join in the defence against the rival natural systems of [Antoine Laurent de] Jussieu and [Augustin Pyramus] Decandolle. Asks for Smith's advice on the sixth volume, which will include the 'Umbelliferae' and 'Pentandria'.

Thanks for the foregoing.

Offers Smith loan of correspondence of [Emanuel Mendez] da Costa [(1717-1791), naturalist].

Options for publication. Shall obtain Miss Currer's correspondence collection for Smith's consultation.

Discusses inclusion of Miss Currer's [John] Ray's letters in ["A selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus" (1821)].