Severe weather and deep snow. Discussed Smith's Cambridge candidature with Lord John Fitzroy. Lea is in England on way to Bogotá to collect drawings and materials of [José Celestino] Mutis [(1732-1808) Spanish botanist]. Lord Valentia [George Annesley] between visits to Ireland. Has been ill after rushing to meet [Aimé] Bonpland [(1773-1858)] in London and being attended by "an apothecary who proved to be more ignorant than the horse he rode on". [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818), collector of antiquarian items, sister of Sir Joseph] not enthused by plants.

Thanks for turkey. Sir Richard Hoare in town and about to print first part of his work on North Wiltshire. Pleased with Smith's life of [John] Ray in new volume of the "Ency[clopedia]" [Abraham Rees' "Cyclopedia"], paragraphs of which "for men of science [ought] to be written in letters of gold". Problems in obtaining collections of [José Antonio] Pavon, [Alexander] Macleay is acting as his agent. Bequeaths this collection to Smith if he should die first [Lambert outlived Smith and his collections were sold and dispersed].

Received a letter from [José Antonio] Pavon, the collections Lambert is purchasing from him, including herbarium and insects, have been sent. A new plant received from Longleat [home of Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath (1765-1837)]. Has five species of 'Oxybaphus' growing. Has 'Fragaria chiloensis' from Guernsey in flower different from the one Smith describes in "Encycl[opedia]" [Abraham Rees' "Cyclopedia"].

Pleased to hear Macleay is recovered, knows "from frequent experience in the same complaint how tender one's whole frame is afterwards"; further advice for Macleay. Macleay's son should use him [Smith] as an introduction in Paris. Encloses some American papers for Linnean Society meeting. Congratulates [Robert] Brown. Leaves [James] Sowerby to "do as he will" with "Exotic botany".

Satisfied with what Macleay says of [William] Travis [(1771-1851)] and will communicate it to Sir Thomas Frankland [who solicited Smith for Travis' readmittance to the Linnean Society]. Thinks the Society right in publishing [Edward] Rudge's papers, "as we may be glad of even imperfect information ab[ou]t New Holland plants", especially as there is no hope of the government asking [Robert] Brown to publish his plants properly, though he thinks it "a debt due to the public, who have paid for them".

Returns proof sheet with necessary corrections. Glad Macleay's son returned safely from France; deplores the "unexpected return of war & desolation", and thinks it "ought to have been effectually guarded against" [return of Napoleon]; hopes the French can settle it amongst themselves, "for they are no more worth cutting honest men's throats about than the Spaniards"; glad the Duke of Wellington [Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852)] got away safely, expected him to be murdered.

Directions for forwarding seeds sent by [Andre] Thouin. Intends to be in London for 18 April, following a visit to Lowestoft, [Suffolk], on account of his mother-in-law's paralytic stroke.

Compliments.

Sends paper from [Erik] Acharius to be read at Linnean Society in due course. "Grieves [...] deeply" to hear that "it is all over" with his "old & valued friend", [Thomas] Marsham; but takes consolation that "the warning afforded by losing elderly friends is rather soothing than dreadful", in comparison to sudden sorrow of losing younger friends.

He is setting of on a 6 week tour tomorrow with [Thomas William] Coke, one of his "best-loved friends", to Staffordshire, Wales, Lancashire, Cumberland, and Northumberland; looking forward to seeing [William] Roscoe, [Thomas] Johnes, and Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough].

Sorry to hear that Marsham has disappointed [James] Sowerby as to money, fears "all is not right".

On tour with [Thomas William] Coke, not home before end of the month. Anxious to hear news of [Thomas] Marsham, dreads the worst. His "most beloved" brother, [Francis Smith], has died since his departure, leaving a widow and 6 children. He has been much with [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford, and proposes him as FLS. He will be at Anson's [Thomas Anson, 1st Viscount Anson (1767-1818)], Shugborough Park, Staffordshire, from 10 to 15 October.

At Lord Anson's [Thomas Anson (1767-1818) 1st Viscount Anson] with [Thomas William] Coke and [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford; encloses latter's certificate for FLS, "truly a practical Linnaean botanist" who would make a good Honorary Member in due course. Grief at death of his brother, Francis Smith, and impact on his tour. Anxious about [Thomas] Marsham, in event of his death proposes Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley as replacement Linnean Society vice-president, his qualities.

Condolences on death of Smith's brother, [Francis Smith]. [Thomas] Marsham better than Smith feared, though he was dangerously ill for some time, but Smith's correct that his finances are not in order, suspects his son has ruined him. [James] Sowerby is owed £18 by the Linnean Society and has refused to supply any more plates to [Robert] Brown until it is settled; offence taken at Sowerby's attitude to the Society's credit. Encloses proposal from [William George] Maton [not extant]. Latest "Linnean Transactions" volume almost complete. Proposes Edward Forster as next Society Treasurer.

Rejoices at news of [Thomas] Marsham's recovery but laments his "suspicions relative to his concernes prove too well founded". Agrees with Macleay's proposal of Edward Forster being next Linnean Society Treasurer and approves of [William George] Maton's idea, returns his letter. His plans for returning to Norwich, [Norfolk]. [William] Smith, who first introduced himself and [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford, would probably like to sign latter's FLS certificate.

Sends his passage on the biblical "lilies of the field" for Smith's approval before it is printed [for the annotated Bible prepared with Richard Mant known as "D'Oyly and Mant's Bible" (1814 and later editons)], asks if 'Amaryllis lutea' is the correct trivial name, read that Celsius believes the white common lily is the "lily of the fields".

Thanks for Macleay's letter, still recovering his "tranquility of mind" [after sudden death of his brother, Francis Smith].

Remarks on proposed "Minutes of Council" section of upcoming volume of "Linnean Transactions": suggests it be placed at beginning of volume; in transcription of the Society's address to the Prince Regent [later George IV (1762-1830)] believes the King [George III (1738-1820)] should be named founder of the Linnean Society's charter rather than the Society itself; submits paragraph on receipt of his knighthood, as he wishes it to be known he publicly owes his title to his association with the Society and nothing else. Asks if he could be called Founder and President.

Afraid they have printed something of [Samuel Latham] Mitchill's paper on "New York fishes" in new volume of "Linnean Transactions", which was not to be printed on account of its appearance in an American journal; a Dr Francis will inform Macleay of it as Sir Joseph Banks'. [Francis] Buchanan, currently an ALS, wishes to become a FLS, as does [John] Murray of Stranraer, [Scotland], who wrote a paper on "vegetable poisons". Recommends Dr Burke of Lowestoft, [Suffolk], who is to visit the Transport Office.

His work "Les Liliacées".

Has been confined for nine months [on account of his angina pectoria]. Philosophical reflections on friendship; life; Smith's botanical achievements; recent history, including fall of the Bourbons and rise of Napoleon; notions of power and glory; and his own approaching death, inspired by death of [Samuel] Whitbread [(1764-1815) politician, who killed himself by cutting his throat on 6 July 1815].

Asks if Smith received the letter and parcel dated 15 May 1814 he sent via Hayne. Encloses the same undetermined plants, for Smith's opinion, in case Smith did not receive them, for inclusion in second volume of "Flora Germanica", asks that Smith reply via [Charles] Konig.

Requests specimens of 'Potamogeton compressus', 'Potamogeton gramineus', and 'Potamogeton lanceolatus', all "English botany", and 'Verbascum virgatum' "Flora Britannica". Also desires specimens of 'Verbascum boerhavii' and 'Verbascum orbeckii' as he has doubts over their classification; observations on characters.

As thanks for Smith's "Introduction to Botany" sending copies of his essay "De Halophytis" and first part of his monograph on 'Verbascum'.

Sending 30 roots each of new or little known Sicilian 'Orchideae', described in [Antonius] Bivona [Bernardi's] "Sicularum plantarum": 'Orchis longibracteata', 'Orchis purpurea', 'Orchis longicornu', 'Orchis acuminata', 'Ophrys tenthredinifera', and 'Ophrys lutea', also added roots of 'Arum tenuifolium'; a proportion being sent to Kew, hopes they will become permanently introduced. Botanists of Sicily "anxiously looking" for second volume of "Prodromus florae graecae"; believes his herbarium may contain species which escaped [John] Sibthorp.

Condolences on death of Smith's brother. Returned the "superfluous" Linnean recommendation.