Pleased Smith had such an agreeable tour. His wife died 19 May; "a bitter affliction" to be separated from his companion of 45 years but considering the complaint in her breast, paralysis of left side, and digestion and appetite gone it was a "desireable blessing".

Attended Horticultural Society anniversary meeting and invited by Sir Joseph Banks to visit Spring Grove [Isleworth, Middlesex]. Bank's successor at Royal Society: not canvassed by any candidate; initially objected to Prince Leopold as he lived too far away to be easily consulted and though convinced by his promises to keep a librarian at Marlborough House, to have dinners and evening meetings, and to dedicate £4000 a year to the Society it is said that enmity from "a certain quarter" has induced Leopold to give up his campaign. In London received ten air plants from his nephew, Commodore Bowles, but neglected them and only three are alive, two are 'Epidendrum cochleatum' and other a 'Tillandsia'; saw many at Leddiges but they have no great beauty. Raised several plants from Buenos Aires, [Argentina], but [James] Lee says they are not new having been collected by [Aimé Jacques Alexandre] Bonpland [(1773-1858)] travelling with [Alexander von] Humboldt.

A "profusion of peaches" and his favourite green fleshed Egyptian melon, which he exhibited at Horticultural Society and were so admired that he is saving seed for members. Immediately looked at 'Hypnum resognitum' in [James] Sowerby, the name a good one from singular circumstance of Smith's "refinding it". Dwarf apple trees 4 feet high with fruit brances supported by stakes, chiefly Hemick codlings and Hawthorn clean.

Received Smith's letter from Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Sir Thomas William Coke]. Supposes Smith occupied "by the business which has so long disgraced the house of Lords, but more so everyone of those who have brought such foul matters before them" [probably "trial" of Queen Caroline], his opinion same as Lord Harewood's speech in today's paper and regardless of whatever party is more in the wrong the business in hand is "insanity & is more likely to shake the government than the attempts of the Radicals". Prince Leopold seems to have had "some tiff" with the King [George III (1738-1820)] lately.

His son and daughter-in-law have been placing single trees and shrubs on the lawn "so zealously that the Lady carries various articles, & even digs". His son has renounced foxhunting. His own health generally good but debility and rheumatism leave him helpless at hedges and when shooting has to be pulled through.

His garden thriving: had asparagus on the 3rd and peas today, the former raised in a "pigeon holed frame" invented by McPhail which prevents manure vapours affecting the bed so the produce is sweeter. Disapproves of [Thomas] A[ndrew] Knight's "filthy practice of drenching [his] fig, & his pines, with a mixture of piegons' dung & water the colour of Porter" to guarantee multiple crops from his fig tree, received a letter reporting nine crops in fifteen months. Too few woodcocks this season to prove his theory that only males come over in first flight; encloses exterior quill feathers [not extant] of the male as example, females have a white line running most of the way from the quill to the extremity, small ink sketch illustrating this.

Copying and "tearing out likenesses in paper"; there is much chance in tracing them, encloses example of "old Mrs Warburton, well known in the society at York 30 or 40 years ago", requests its return. Just requested specimen of 'Menziesia caerulea' from Scotland and will attempt to procure 'Menziesia polifolia' through his sister, Lady Roche, in Dublin.

Since last letter received four male woodcocks from an outkeeper and has not seen one dead or alive since. Favourable season for his son's shrub planting; tempertature 52°F today. His son went to York nursery recently and found 'Menziesia caerulea'; proprieter says it is difficult to keep alive. Stopped Duke of Gordon's factotum [James Hoy], brother to [Thomas] Hoy [(c 1750-1822)], the Sion gardener, getting anything from the 'Menziesia caerulea' growing at Inverness.

Asks Smith to recommend a "Genera plantarum" more recent than his Vienna 1767 edition. Request to [James] Dickson for price of cut asparagus 3 November met with "almost a doubt of the possibility of having it so early", but they cut 274 this morning in addition to a regular supply since they began, and in addition it is sweeter than that raised by common process as the pigeon holed frames keeps the manure detached from the bed.

Accepts Smith's invitation to Norwich, [Norfolk], and will be happy to also see [William] Roscoe, depending on the date. They have lost a "much valued friend" in death of [Thomas] Woodward.

Regrets that he will no longer be able to visit Smith whilst [William] Roscoe is also visiting, and proposes next month instead.

Condolences to Smith and Lady Smith on death of their "very near & dear relatives", including Smith's mother, draws comparison to [John] Fraser's [(c 1750-1811), botanist] death and Smith's contribution to the science of botany.

Has been extending and examining his collection of 'Scitamineae' with use of Smith's remarks in Rees' "New Cyclopedia", and living plants of the whole Indian family sent by Dr [William] Carey [(1761-1834)] and [Nathaniel] Wallich, the latter has also sent large chests of plants for the [Liverpool] Botanic Garden, just arrived. Lists plants he is anxious about, with Latin characters: 'Hedychium gardnerianum', 'Roscoea purpurea', 'Canna napalensis'; further notes on his arrangement of 'Curcuma', 'Hedychium', and 'Roscoea'. His business arrangements almost finally arranged but has not been able to escape unjust attacks from people wishing to take advantage.

Visiting Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley], who is anxious to correspond with Roscoe and [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] and have them visit his botanic garden; Mountnorris has a large collection of hardy and other plants not at Liverpool, but lacks 'Scitamineae', so it could be a mutually beneficial correspondence, in addition he corresponds with [Nathaniel] Wallich and has excellent plants from Brazil, including 'Orchideae'. Mountnorris has sent, for Roscoe's examination and use, drawings made for him by Indian artists on banks of the Gogra in Lucknow, on the frontiers of Nepal, including 'Zingiber', 'Alpinia' and 'Matonia'. Wishes that a new 'Scitamineae' genus could be found to be named 'Anneslaea'.

Apologises for not being able to spend more time with Smith and Lady [Pleasance] Smith during their recent stay in Liverpool. About to move to St James's Mount and unsure what course his life will take but hopes it will be removed from "mercantile speculations or the squabbles & quibbles of lawyers". Comments on remarks made by the Chancellor respecting an incident involving his business troubles and an imminent change in law.

Responds to Smith's letter of from Arley Hall [28 July 1820] and thanks for introduction to Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley], whom he first met in London when they helped establish the African Institution. Comments on the curiousness of Mountnorris' East India 'Scitamineae' drawings of, particularly 'Zingiber'. Reminds Smith of a letter he previously wrote on genus 'Thalia', which is still in need of elucidation. Since Smith's departure 'Hedychium angustifolium' has flowered and 'Hedychium excelsum' is about to, and 'Alpinia mutica' for the first time in Britain. Tormented with rheumatism but intends to visit Norwich before winter.

Cataloguing the Holkham manuscripts [home of Thomas William Coke] taking longer than expected but has revealed the collection's importance; believes a published catalogue would be well received. Lady [Anne Margaret (1779-1843), née Coke] is making copies of some illuminations. Constant use of Codington's balsam has improved his rheumatism from when Smith was here. Duke of Gloucester [Prince William Frederick (1776-1834)] and Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)] expected, current visitors include Sir Ronald Ferguson [(1773-1841), army officer and politician].

Postscript in margin of verso of first folio: beauty of the Coke ladies.

Pleased to hear of Roscoe's work at Holkham [cataloguing Thomas William Coke's manuscript collection] and his plan to visit them in Norwich; proposes date so that he can meet the Fountaines and will also invite the Bishop [of Norwich, Henry Bathurst (c 1744-1837)] and the Southwells. Asks whether the Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)] is visiting Holkham and if they will attend the Fox dinner at Norwich. Busy with [Albrecht von] Haller's [(1708-1777), botanist] "very curious" letters to Linnaeus [for "A selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus.." (1821)]. Received "chests upon chests" of dried plants from [Nathaniel] Wallich, he speaks highly of Roscoe. Regards to Coke's family.

Nearly finished with his [cataloguing of Thomas William Coke's manuscript collection] at Holkham but thinks the project may have been beyond his capabilities. Ill-health caused the Duke of Sussex [Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843)] to defer his visit to Holkham. Dawson Turner visited and assisted with the manuscripts and has invited him to stay. Urges Smith not to invite too many people when he comes to Norwich as he is anxious for some rest following his two month stay at Holkham and the constant succession of guests. Mortal illness of Mrs Blackwell. Anxious about circumstances in Liverpool but confident he will not be called away.

Announces death of [Thomas] Woodward, following an illness which confined him for the last two weeks. Grief of the family and regret of the whole neighbourhood.

Planning to come to London in April or May to attempt to settle at India House the remainder of his natural history collection and unless easily arranged "the whole for me may go to the devil". Hopes Smith received a copy of his "Hindu Genealogies".

His plans for visiting London. Hopes to procure for Smith duplicates and notes of his Indian plants which would make considerable additions to Smith's "Adversaria Botanica" which he hopes Smith will set about in earnest.

Having looked over the specimens obtained from India House has come to the conclusion that the most scientifically useful purpose would be to publish a commentaries on the "Hortus Malabaricus" and "Flora Amboinensis", details how he would go about this. Will start immediately if suitable for publication in "Linnean Transactions", with a supplement of the drawings from Mysore left with Smith and from Ava, Burma, given to Sir Joseph Banks. Drawings of 'Scitamineae' and Orchides have been lost by the Marquees of Hastings [Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings (1754-1826) Governor-General of India, 1813-1823]. Requests Smith's opinion on this and whether it should be published all in Latin, or the commentary in English and the descriptive parts in Latin, as [Robert] Brown did in his treatise on the compositae in volume 12 of "Linnean Transactions".

Received Smith's letter of 26 August. Shall proceed with the commentary on the "Hortus Malabaricus", has started arranging the specimens and written a preface giving an account of his journeys in India but feels that the commentary will be of considerable length. Perplexed by a 'Boerhavia' which he previously thought a 'Valeriana chinensis', asks Smith to consult his Mysore specimens for a 'Boerharvia elata' so as to see if a mistake was made. Has found two species of Aspidium, one is 'Aspidium dilatatum' and the other he previously thought to be 'Felix femina' but now cannot identify despite consulting "Flora Britannica", sending specimens. Sorry to hear of [Robert] Brown's difficulties at the British Museum.

Married [Mary] Hardcastle on 3 July, a piece of wedding cake was sent to Smith. An account of the courtship, beginning with their first acquaintance in 1811, credits her mother with teaching him botany and leading him to appreciate literature, and account of his abortive attempt to return to America and devote himself solely to the study of botany.

Informs Smith of his marriage [to Mary Hardcastle, daughter of Lucy Hardcastle]; sends piece of wedding cake.

Thanks for turkey. Pleased by Smith's improved health; if he continues with moderate daily dose of laundanum he will never be materially affected by diabetes. Concerned that Smith has eaten fruit and vegetables too liberally.

Had planned to attend Linnean Society and Club on his way to Liverpool with Lady [Pleasance] Smith but forced to cancel this on account of Lady Smith's mother, "whose death is hourly expected". Now intends to come to London with Lady Smith at beginning of May, before proceeding to Liverpool. "Almost afraid to enquire the state of [Macleay's] family". He has been unusually well "this severe weather", but in the last two months the deaths of his mother and several other "dear friends" have brought on his usual headaches, eager to change the scene.