The lumbago he suffered from on his journey to Rose Castle has brought on gout. Relates an anecote relating to "the late sweet warbler" Mrs Sheridan and an apothecary. Smith must have enjoyed Sir Thomas Cullum staying.

Rose Castle gardens have suffered much, including goosberries, currants, and plums; a great loss for them living in a lone house so far from a town. Forwarded Smith's letter to Mrs Martin.

Royal Society Copley Medal awarded to Dr [John] Brinkley [(c 1763-1835), astronomer], the opponent of [John] Pond [(1767-1836), astronomer] as to the parallax of fixed stars. They [the Royal Society] cannot be accused of "any partiality to either of these great astronomers" though wishes that Pond's theory was right.

Reports that Mr Plumtree has become a member of the Athenaeum club, which now numbers 990; once 1000 has been reached members will be ballotted. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's parlour dog bit five of his household; the bitten parts were mostly cut out. Saw Sir Thomas Raffles [(1781-1826), founder of Singapore] yesterday; he looked as though he had not moved since they last saw him.

[Aylmer Bourke] Lambert in "raptures" over [Augustin Pyramus] de Candolle's new work "Prodromus syst[ematis] nat[uralis]" though Cullum disappointed Candolle is unlikely to continue his "Systema Vegetabile".

Observations on changes of chemical names of medicines in the "London Pharmacopoeia" and other: 'Elettaria' has changed to 'Matonia', as recommended by Smith'; in the "Dispensatory" "cantharides" has reverted from "lyttae"; the three species of 'Arichona', the 'cordifolia', 'lancifolia', and 'oblongifolia' continued; and camphor still said to be produce of 'Laurus camphora' though [Philip] Miller told him that the best camphor comes from very large trees timber trees at Sumatra, wonders if the Dutch controllers of the trade make it from the 'Laurus' or undersized trees.

Lord [John Rous, 1st Earl of] Stradbroke [(1750-1827)] sent him specimens of the insects killing his Scotch firs for identification; thinks them 'Sirex juveneus' and reminded that some years ago several oaks were cut down in Mr Port's garden plantation at Ham, Derbyshire, because of boring 'Sirex gigas' hornets. Does not think 'Sirex' are labelled a pest of 'Pinus sylvestris' in Lambert's "[A description of the genus] Pinus". Offers to send bark specimens of Stradbroke's trees to Linnean Society.

Thanks for the two volumes of Smith's "English Flora", gratified by Smith's address to him. Intends to come to London in April.

Disappointed Smith was not at 6 May Linnean Society meeting. Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] was also absent because of gout and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert infrequently attends on account of Mrs [Catherine] Lambert's ill health. Laid bark of Lord [John Rous, 1st Earl of] Stradbroke's [(1750-1827)] 'Sirex juvenus' damaged 'Pinus sylvestris' trees on table at Linnean Society. Invites Smith to breakfast with them and General [Thomas] Hardwicke when Smith comes for anniversary meeting. Delighted by reports of new arrival at Holkham Hall [birth of a son to Thomas William Coke].

Left London early for Lady Cullum's health. Missed Prince Leopold dining with the Linnean Club but [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough], Sir Claude Scott [(1742-1830)], Mr Colebrooke, [William George] Maton, and Sir Benjamin Hobhouse [(1757-1831), politician] attended. Lambert's state of mind too unsettled for him to write to anyone unless absolutely obliged. Hopes Lambert sent Smith the continuation of his "[A description of the genus] Pinus" work. This summer possibly going to Ramsgate and Margate, [Kent], or Paris by steam vessel, and plans to visit Smith in Saxmundham, [Suffolk].

Hopes Smith's health is recovered, he and many others were disappointed he could not come to the last [Linnean Society][ anniversary meeting. He has been supervising [William] Baxter's [(1787-1871)], curator of the Botanic Garden, Oxford, "fasciculus of dried plants", about to be published.

He has procured many fungi specimens from Mr Gulliver of Banbury, of which he is sending a parcel. Compliments [Robert Kaye] Greville's work ["Scottish cryptogamic flora" (1823-1828)], and thinks the new genera 'Erineum', 'Acidium', 'Jaccinia', and 'Uredo' are well defined, but others including 'Xyloma' and 'Sclerotium' are "deficient in character".

Understands Smith is still sceptical regarding the Barberry bush being the cause of injury to wheat growing near it; has suggested to Greville it may be caused by "some peculiar modification of electricity" as the grain is always found shrivelled, as if scorched. Offers to send Smith further fungi specimens, including the "rarest", 'Batarrea phalloides'.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 24 [November 1824], pleased to good account of his health. Unable to sign Mr Maund's nomination certificate for Linnean Society.

Pleased that he has presented Smith with a "new & important idea on the effects of a religious establishment"; he has been working on a now 500 page manuscript tract for 30 years, but considers himself "as good a Christian as any in Christendom".

Hopes to bring all his fungi to Norwich before Smith reaches them [in "English Flora"]; he has found hundreds of species since publishing first volume of his "Midland Flora", and [Robert Kaye] Greville, "in his admirable work", makes his descriptions too detailed to be followed.

Agrees with Smith that [William Jackson] Hooker "has rather mistaken the willows" ['Salix'], and thinks that "Flora Scotia" was rushed; points out errors. Has sent [Joseph] Sabine roses ['Rosa']; discussion of 'R. sabini' and 'R. mollis'; Sabine says the specimens he sent are both varities of 'R. doniana'.