Encloses letter from [Thomas] Marsham [extant], informing Smith that [Erik] Acharius' collection of lichens for the Linnean Society is at the Custom House, asks Macleay to obtain it.

[Letter from Thomas Marsham, West India Dock House, Billiter Square, 23 November 1808, to Smith]: Smith's box of dried plants and lichens from Sweden has been at Custom House since last September; instructions for its retrieval.

Encloses [James Perchard] Tupper's paper; will send a paper of his own in January or February. Macleay to expect monies from [James] Sowerby for Linnean Society membership dues. Thinks the new "Linnean Transactions" volume "very respectable" in size and content. Thinks 'Apion' a bad name and only 'Apium' spelt wrong, "when Greek words are made Latin they must take Latin terminations".

Sending Macleay one of this season's rare good turkies. Sends small piece of information for Linnean Society, assuming they are well supplied for papers. Intends to be in London for 21 March [1809], a month earlier than usual. Anxious to know whether [Erik] Acharius' lichens are now at the Linnean Society.

Arrived back at Norwich 1 July [1809]. Informed by [Robert] Brown that the two species of 'Centrolepis' in [Edward] Rudge's paper ['Description of several Species of Plants from New Holland'], were stolen from Sir Joseph Banks' private herbarium, and do not grow in Port Jackson, [Sydney], as stated in the paper; Brown remarks that [Richard] Salisbury is "making a cat's paw of Rudge, to interfere with Brown's work"; certain that the specific characters are Salisbury's and "very uncouth, & a disgrace to our Transactions". Leaves it to Macleay and Brown to decide whether the paper should be suppressed or corrected.

Encloses continuation of his paper, Macleay to expect more and paper from [William Jackson] Hooker for 21 November [1809]. Wishes [Robert] Brown would change name of his genus 'Josephia', named after Sir Joseph Banks, "it is not only against all rule, but in itself so foolish it must expose us to ridicule as well as blame", proposes 'Brunonia'.

Hedwig's letter of August 1802 did not arrive until May 1803; delayed replying until able to send packet of plants but frustrated. Thanks for signet ring, which he wears in remembrance of Hedwig's father, [Johann Hedwig (1730-1799)]; praises his work, which he has used in classifying mosses for "Flora Britannica" vol 3. Offers to propose Hedwig as a FMLS

Hopes the turkey arrived safely, explains his reason for sending. Glad to hear of [Benjamin] Robertson's [(c 1732-1800)] bequest of £80,000 [to establish a public botanic garden]; excited by possibilities and intends to name a 'Robertsonia' at first opportunity.

Intends to have first volume of "Flora Graeca" put to the press by end of April, and intends to be in London in early May.

Thanks for the very favourable review of "Flora Britannica" in the January issue of the "Monthly Review". Explains that there will be a longer delay in publishing the remaining volumes in order to compare Cryptogamia and fungus in [James] Dickson's "Cryptogamia", [Erik] Acharius' "Prodromus Lichenographiae Suecicae", and [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon's "general work on fungi"; and have a further two seasons of spring to work on 'Salix'. Responds to remarks made in the review on nomenclature.

Sends parcel of poplar and alder specimens to sketch, including polar flowers; Sowerby may find the birch near London, and should draw 'Betula nana' from a garden; will send poplar leaves in June from the same trees. Pleased the 'Cyamus' seed was in such good order, what he found agrees with Gaertner's figure. Returns Mr Lewis' letter and scheme of classes, his ideas "sensible but not new". Intends to buy [George] Don's "fasiculi" ["Herb. Britannicum" (1804-1812) ?] through Sowerby, though "out of regard to him only" as there is nothing he wants.

Approves of Sowerby's patterns for "Flora Graeca", though a correction is needed with colouring of 'Bromus'. Sowerby should use one or two of [Archibald] Menzies' species of 'Boronia', if they have retained their colour, for "Exotic botany", the rest to be engraved for Linnean Society. Does not think the patters for "Exotic botany" well coloured, except 'Diuris maculata'. Returns Sowerby's mineralogy manuscript. Sowerby's sketches from Don's specimens "excellent". [James] Crowe approves figure of 'Salix acuminata' in last "English botany"; he paid 6 guineas for Sowerby's microscope.

Returns 6 drawings and two 'Conferva' specimens to be figured as t.2427 and t.2428 [of "English botany"], to finish no.247 June. Also returns Sowerby's "beautiful drawings" for the Duke of Bedford [John Russell, 6th Duke]; difficulty whether to call some 'Mespili' or 'Crataegi'. They intend to arrive back in London shortly.

Concerned to hear Sowerby is ill. Received [Richard] Salisbury's attack on "English botany" yesterday with another "scurrilous" letter; glad to see he praises Sowerby's part of the work. Intends to neither answer Salisbury's letters nor his work, and to return future letters unopened. Defends himself against Salisbury's attack by saying he is the "first English writer who undertook to examine the characters of Linnaeus, & to correct them where [he] found an error", and thus can only be blamed for not bringing them at once to "perfection".

Returns Sowerby's drawing for frontispiece of "Flora Graeca". emphasises that Hudson, Lightfoot and Curtis all copied Linnaeus without correction. Sorry to hear Sowerby is thinking of dropping "Exotic Botany" after its increased sale, reiterates that he is content to wait for his money for this work. Unable to send his specimen of 'Merops apiaster' for Sowerby to draw, so sends drawing of Hooker's. Sends his duplicate of 'Alopecurus fulvus'. Returning various plates for "English botany" and "Exotic botany".

[Short note only, written on scrap of paper]

Requests Sowerby to draw 'Alsine media' to figure with 'Cerastium aquaticum'. Wishes Sowerby to acquire wild specimens of 'Lychnis viscaria' from [John] Mackay [(1772-1802), employed at Dickson nursery, Edinburgh] of Edinburgh, for which he is postponing 'Lychnis flos cuculi'.

Thanks for £10 bank note and drawings. Suffering from headaches in the heat, expects relief at Lowestoft, [Suffolk]. Pleased Sowerby agrees with him about genus 'Phallus', "the old trivial names are unnecessarily indecent". His pupil, [William Fitt Drake], will look for anything curious at Lowestoft. Uncertain about Sowerby's 'Salix', which may be 'S. amygdalina'.

His sister Mrs Weston has had a girl, and his brother Francis' wife a boy. Expecting a visit from [Richard] Relhan. Wishes to know how to send a parcel to Sweden.

Sending pieces of amber and jet collected at Lowestoft, [Suffolk], comments on "serpentine impression" in larger piece of jet.

His health much better since coming here, though still cannot read or write for more than half an hour at a time. Sowerby made a mistake in ordering the indexes sheet of "English botany" to be printed now as he had enough for September. Intends to spend a week with [Dawson] Turner at Yarmouth, [Norfolk], shortly. Requests copies of "English botany" from no 81 onwards, for an American friend.

Would like to help Sowerby with his intended book on minerals but has "never attended much to that part of Natural History", and concerned it will delay Sowerby in his work with "Flora Graeca", which the executors want finished as quickly as possible; Smith will never consent to any other artist being employed, though [Thomas] Platt [(d 1842), one of John Sibthorp's executors, supervised the publication of "Flora Graeca"] thinks Sowerby is not progressing as fast as he might. Suggests new wording for Sowerby's advertisement for a mineralogist.

[Smith's letter to Sowerby]: William Roscoe "as amiable & pleasant as he is accomplished & sensible". His lectures "brilliantly attended", nearly 120 people. His plans for returning to Norwich, [Norfolk]. Sends drawing of 'Hypericum androsaemum' intended for t1225, the first of vol 18 [of "English botany"]; discussion of subjects of next plates.

[Drake's letter to Sowerby]: Has promise of some good specimens of of Canal or Wigan coal but as yet unable to find anywhere selling snuffboxes or other made from this coal. Mineralogy "little pursued" here, doubts finding any collection of ores.

Received Winch's parcel a few days ago, enclosing one from [Olof] Swartz; thanks for present of Winch's work ["The Botanist's guide through the Counties of Northumberland and Durham"] and specimens enclosed in it, particularly 'Hypnum cordifolium' and 'Dicranum fuscescens'. Thanks Winch for his numerous communications through [Dawson] Turner and [James] Sowerby, "which have enriched "English botany"".

Numbered responses to Winch's queries on plants: 1. like 'Hypnum rugosum'; 2. like Ehrhart's 'H. rugosum' but has not the "proper rugosity"; 3. 'Cochlearia officinalis'; 4. an 'Epilobium' he gathered on glacier of Chamouin in Savoy and supposed variety of 'E. alpinum', near 'E. roseum'; 5. a 'Chironia'; 6. 'Eriophorum polystachion'; has no means of ascertaining 'Bartiamia ithyphylla'; of the exotics 1 is a 'Caucalis' unknown to him, and the rest are 'Buphthalmum aquaticum', 'Statice monopetala', 'Fumaria parviflora', 'Frankenia hirsuta', 'Tribulus terrestris', and possible 'Scabiosa plumosa'; 7. 'Pryola media' of Swartz; 8. 'Pyrola folio rotundo'; "always a matter of wonder what all Rivinius's 'Pyrolae' were".

Turner's family in far better health and spirits than could be expected after "the dreadful loss of his only son by fire".

[On recto of second folio] List of specimens, corresponds with Smith's observations above [in Winch's hand].

Reply to Banks letter of 22 February 1805. Agrees with Banks suggestions concerning the introduction to "Flora Graeca", [John] Sibthorp's work will be fully acknowledged with modest reference to Smith and others. In general approves of title but still needs further consideration to convey true nature of the work and its composition. Is now at work on the Prodrumus "Flora Graeca".

Agrees with Banks that a turkey's nest is known as a "rip". Comments on dispute between [William] Forsyth and [Thomas Andrew] Knight over Knight's insinuating pamphlets against Forsyth's paste for regenerating fruit trees. Smith says he can produce sections of Forsyth's trees "which tell their own story", will further enquire into the matter. Disgusted by the "backbiting" of authors and artists and London, and scornful of the effect of London society on minds. Thinks [Samuel] Goodenough will be a dignified and useful bishop. 'Buxbaumia aphylla' has been found at Roslin, [Midlothian], by Mr Maughan.

His periodical publications delayed by his long stay in London. Gives an account of his correspondence with and about [Richard] Salisbury: received copy of Salisbury's pamphlet ["The generic characters in the English Botany"] and letter signifying that if Smith made concessions he would not publish it. Contrary to Salisbury's claims Salisbury's sisters deny any knowledge of the business. Salisbury has told [Archibald] Menzies he would "give £500" to have never written it but has continued to attack Smith in "Paradisus Londinensis". Is particularly hurt by Sir Joseph Banks' obliviousness to the personal nature of the attacks but has long "been aware of the queerness of this great man" and is now glad he took Goodenough's advice and did name himself only the editor "Flora Graeca", as Banks wanted. As part of an experiment on Banks' humour requested a drawing for use in "Exotic Botany", which was grudgingly granted. Believes his work on 'Globba marantina' and other 'Scitamineae' in "Exotic Botany", in part assisted by [William] Roscoe's paper to Linnean Society, is excellent. [Francis] Buchanan has given him his whole collection of Nepal and Mysore plants, all his manuscript descriptions, and nearly 200 drawings for publication in "Exotic Botany".

Literary plans for winter: intends to finish "Flora Britannica", write a popular introduction to botany, to finish and publish Linnaeus' "Lapland tour", besides going on with "Flora Graeca" and his two periodical works ["Exotic Botany" and "English Botany"]. The first fasciculi of "Flora Graeca" has just printed but with possible errors to correct. Struggled with the 'Umbellatae', 'Silene', and 'Dianthus' in "Prodromus Florae Graecae". The sore on his leg has completely healed but left a "tremendous scar". Finances of the Linnean Society extremely healthy. The alarming state of the nation; "we have only the choice of evils, and perhaps not even that". The new Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)] a "very amiable, benignant character".