Prevented by his poor health and incessant occupations from joining the Smiths at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke].

Asks Smith's opinion of most recent parts of his "Monandrain Plants", particularly the descriptions. His greatest difficulty has been acquiring species of 'Amomum'; none have flowered [at Liverpool Botanic Garden]; asks if there are any in the drawings Smith received from Dr [Francis] Hamilton for "Exotic Botany". Settled the boundary between 'Maranta' and 'Phrynium', excluding [Georg Friedrich Wilhelm] Meyer's 'Calathea' which he has included in 'Phrynium', though notes that [John] Lindley [(1799-1865), botanist] is trying to establish it in new edition of "Bot. Reg." and Sprengel also recognises it.

Only just received Smith's letter of 7 April [1826]. Pleased by Smith's opinion of his "Monandrian Plants". Discusses plants to be included in his proposed genus 'Matonia', the true 'Cardamom' of the East and 'Renealmia/Alpinia exaltata'; notes on character. Obtained specimens of an 'Amomum' nearly related to Smith's 'A. macrospermum', the 'Zingiber melegueta' of Gaertner. Hopes Smith's family are relieved from the "vexation & anxiety" arising from the character of Mr Martin's business partner; defends himself for not saying anything of it at the time.

Postscript in margin of recto of first folio: on Smith's recommendation giving his synoptical tables in Latin, not English.

Looking over Roscoe's "great work" ["Mondandrian Plants"] with a botanical friend; very satisfied with it and eager to see all his species of 'Costus', which has previously been in complete disorder. No 'Amomum' amongst [Francis] Hamilton's drawings and collections; made use of own little-known ones in "Supplementum" to Rees' "Cyclopedia".

Unable to accept [Thomas William] Coke's recent invitation to Holkham, [Norfolk], as he needs to finish his "[English] Flora"; cannot write letters or attend to other people's concerns, either. Hopes to see Roscoe at Holkham and Norwich before winter sets in; already suffering from rheumatism. Suggests very great heat, drought, or starvation for 'Amomum granum paradisi' to flower.

Smith's ["English Flora"] will fulfill a "desideratum in the botany of this country that no other hand could have supplied". Discusses forthcoming numbers of his "Monandrian Plants", including: 'Maranta divaricata'; 'Phrynium parkeri'; 'Thalia geniculata'; compared 'Phrynium myrosma' with 'Myrosma canniformis' from Smith's herbarium and identified error by [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow who should have named 'Phrynium capitatum' 'Myrosma capitata'.

Received from Demarara preserved flower of largest 'Amomum', conludes it is the melegueta pepper, or grains of paradise; observations. Committed to finishing his work before visiting Smith. Anxious about Dawson Turner's health. Unsure of reaction to his 'Matonia', which will unite the "finest aromatic plants of the Easter and Western Hemisphere"; asks Smith to review his materials.

Change in the weather; "extraordinary phenomena" of a "yellowish substance" observed on surface of rain water cisterns which on burning proved to be sulphur; Mr Dalton the chemist says it has not been observed since the execution of Charles I and Cromwell's usurpation, as mentioned by Baker, unable to find this in his "Chronicles"; other opinions on the cause, including being swept up from volcanic mountains. Discussion of Norwich election with Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)]. A grebe taken on a ship's deck; sent to be stuffed. A very bad mackerel voyage, causing the pedlars to make trouble. Dined at the Lockwood's; a picture of Mrs Lockwood's great aunt by Sir Thomas Lawrence.

Account of his and Charles' [nephew of Smith's] excursion to Sunninghill, [Berkshire, home of Smith's Kindersley cousins]; a violent storm with hail, which they collected for iced water; visited Mr Barclay's grand house, including stoves and botanic gardens; searched in vain for tomb or memorial of his uncle Ireland in Reigate, [Surrey], church, the sexton had known his uncle and knew of the "incestuous anecdote". Everyone praises his improved looks and colour. Looked at carpet patterns; his opinion. Sitting for last time for [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841), sculptor] tomorrow.

[Letter incomplete: folio[s] missing or destroyed, fragment of second folio pasted to end of recto of folio]

Appointed Professeur au Jardin du Roi.

Invites Smith to view his collection of plants at Bury Hill.

Thanks for Smith's letter on his rare 'Fenillia'. Safely received seeds from Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania].

Sends specimens of willows ['Salix'] in leaf he previously sent in flower. Recommends forgetting names quoted from Mertens, who named them in his garden without reference to specimens or books, particularly unsure on 'S. tetrapla'. Forster's opinion of 'S. wulfeniana' derived from foreign specimen.

Encloses dried specimens of the rye; when in flower will make magnified drawing of the corolla. The garden more ordered now though unsure how long they will remain here. Asks for the name of the "Malay Tree" which distills a "pure liquid like water" when the branches are cut. Seeds damaged by the rains. Cuttings from his plant of 'Neicum grandiflosum' thrive well.

Thanks for turkey. Turns down offered potential post [of vice-president] in favour of [Robert] Brown. Heard from [Alexander] Macleay at Rio de Janeiro, assumes they have reached New South Wales by now. Hopes Smith's niece is bearing her misfortune well. Account of recent Linnean Society meeting. Their bank quiet but fears great distress across the country and expects to hear of banks failing.

[Letter incomplete: large portion of second folio cropped, unclear if any significant text missing]

Sending specimens of living 'Salix borreri', collected by [William] Borrer in Bredalbane, [Perthshire]. Invites Smiths to stay at Hale End, so they can attend Linnean Society [anniversary meeting] together. Received paper from [Henry Thomas] Colebrooke [(1765-1837), botanist] on the Quinary divisions, unsure if he was serious or hoaxing them. Concerned that the Society will never be able to accomplish rotation of chair by the vice-presidents.

[Smith noted his reply in corner of verso of first folio]: replied by telegraph will be with Forster on 1 May.

Pleased Smith will be coming on 1 May, arrangements for the visit. Sorry the box was not sent before 'Salix borreriana' spoiled.

Sorry that Smith was not able to come on 1 May, hopes he will still be able to come on 15 May. New Linnean Society Council to include Sir Stamford Raffles [(1781-1826), founder of Singapore], Charles Bell, [Nicholas Aylward] Vigors [(1786-1840), zoological administrator and quinarian], Dr [John] Bostock and [Joseph] Sabine. Believes Honorary Memberships should be kept for princes and other very distinguished persons.

Hopes Smith remembers him from their acquaintance of 6 or 7 years ago; he retains "a most grateful impression of the very valuable attentions" Smith showed him. Sends copy of his "Diplomacy of the United States".

Offers to send Smith 'Lichen' specimens, as listed: 'Parmelia conoplea', 'P. ambigua', 'P. lanuginosa', 'Lecidea wulfenii' ('Verrucaria purpurascens' Hoffmann), 'Sagedia rufescens', and 'Lecidea cinereo-fusca'.

Indebted to Smith's publications for the progress he has made in botany; offers to send 'Lichen' specimens not in "English botany" for Smith's opinion at later date, and now sends others, including: 'Parmelia conoplea', 'P. subiginosa', 'P. plumbra', 'P. ambigua', 'P. farrea'; observations. He and Mr Knight found 'Targionia hypophylla' last summer in Radnorshire, also found in Montgomeryshire.

Requests that Smith mark the specimens he has sent in a particular way. Remarks on habitats of 'Parmelia scrobiculata', 'P. aquila', and 'P. perforata'.

Sends new British species of 'Mespilus', gathered on a recent excursion in North Wales, and some other plants and observations gathered in course of his botanical studies.

Thanks for Yates' letter of 29 March 1825, no longer sure of where Yates is living but hopes this gets to Liverpool, [Lancashire], free. Thinks Yates' 'Linum' is 'L. arboreum'; observations. Read account of Dr [Samuel] Parr's [(1747-1825), schoolmaster] funeral "with very great pleasure", presumes it is Yates' own composition. Returns a letter; believes the item Yates saw is a "Chinese device for reckoning" but was unable to consult Mr Donce at Kensington about it. Admired Yates' friend [Howard] Ryland "very much", saw his uncle in Bristol and London in 1825. Going on with fourth volume of "English flora", which all his time this spring is devoted to.