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.

Greatly pleased to meet Corrêa today at [Robert] Brown's but unsure whether he intends to visit Smith at Norwich even though Corrêa is to stay much longer than he expected. Had a "stout tug" with Brown on 'Scitamineae', particularly 'Thalia', but could not decide whether [Edward] Rudge's plants should be united with 'Maranta', 'Thalia', or form a new genus; discusses the new genus, 'Calathea', formed from 'Maranta casupo' Jacquin "Fragmenta [botanica]" in [Georg Friedrich Wilhelm] Meyer's new "[Primitiae] florae Essequeboensis".

Informed by Fanny Blackwell that her mother, Mrs Blackwell, is kept alive only by use of blisters; doubts her recovery. Lady [Anne Margaret] Anson's [(1779-1843)] daughter, Georgiana, has very ill but past the worst. Thanks the Smiths for their hospitality at Norwich.

Sending letter via Benson Rathbone. Forthcoming publications: publishing a 48 volume collection of the Italian poets with Mr Valpy, the London printer, discusses his ideas for the series; writing a life of [Alexander] Pope [(1688-1744), poet] and publishing a new edition of Pope's works with an association of London booksellers, a considerable labour considering the continuing debate as to his moral and poetical characters; adding an additional volume to his "Life of Lorenzo"; and his "Holkham Catalogue" [of manuscripts in library of Thomas William Coke].

'Hedychium excelsum' has flowered and a new species of 'Roscoea' sent as a species of 'Orchis' about to flower [at Liverpool Botanic Garden]; proposes name 'speciosa' or 'lucida', further remarks on the plant. Has made additions to genus 'Canna' and drawn up synoptical table of 20 species, and similar for 'Hedychium' and 'Curcuma' [for his "Monandrian plants of the order Scitamineae.."]. Thanks Smith for "Correspondence of Linnaeus & other Naturalists". Smith's anecdote about identity of the peach and nectarine reminds him of a similar confusion at Liverpool Botanic Garden where an unknown plant was distributed as 'Hedychium flavum' until it dramatically increased in size the following year and turned out to be 'H. coronarium'; [Roscoe has made a sketch of the flower, in ink].

Apologises to Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley] for detaining his 'Scitamineae' figures for so long; has made copies.

[Translation by Anna Gurney, not dated, references to posthumous publications of Peter Forsskål provide estimate of 1775 for date of original letter]

Death of Professor [Peter] Forsskål [(1732-1763), Swedish naturalist and explorer]; sending his posthumous works "Flora aegyptiaco-arabica" and "Descriptiones animalium" to Linnaeus.

Taking up Smith's proposal of his going direct from London to Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke], and visiting his friends at Norwich [Smith] and Yarmouth [Dawson Turner]. Publishing a vindication of himself. Failed to see Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley] at Sir George Cockburn's [10th baronet (1772-1853), naval commander]. Eager to finish his "wearisome task" in London; hopes it will answer purpose of showing [Jean Charles Léonard] de Sismondi [(1773-1842), historian and economist] in his "true light". Intends to finish his catalogue [of Holkham manuscripts] whilst there.

Delaying his visit to Smith in Norwich depending on whether [Dawson] Turner comes to visit him at Holkham [home of Thomas William Coke]. Lord and Lady Nugent [George Nugent-Grenville, 2nd Baron Nugent (1788-1850)] and Lord and Lady William Bentinck [Lord William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck (1774–1839), army officer and diplomatist] are leaving, and death of Mrs Anson, mother of late Lord Anson, will curtail further invitations for time being. May have his catalogue of the Holkham manuscripts finished before he leaves. His happiness at time he spent at Holkham with Smith and Lady Smith.

Suffering from a nervous debility caused by overwork; fears he will be unable to take up invitation to Norfolk. Preparing to publish a memoir of Monandrian plants and would like Smith's opinion on his figures. Received letter from [Nathaniel] Wallich giving an account of his expedition to Nepal and Singapore, the diseases he suffered, and the "immense acquisitions" he has made, which form the most valuable collection of living plants the Liverpool Botanic Garden has ever received, including 'Scitamineae' roots which are already shooting thanks to being packed in moss; he did not have time to write to Smith. Rejoices with Smith on marriage of his "amiable niece".

Visited Rev [John] Mitford, " a most liberal clergyman, learned & accomplished, a great friend of liberty, & a venerator of [Roscoe] & all [his] works", whilst staying with Lady [Pleasance] Smith's aunt in Saxmundham, [Suffolk]; he has a "choice garden" and a fine library, and is an elegant poet; offers Roscoe "important" papers on [Alexander] Pope.

Hopes to meet Roscoe at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke], where he can see Coke's "truly worthy lady" [Anne Amelia, nèe Keppel (1803-1844), Coke's recently married second wife]; dates for his intended visit; will attempt to introduce Mitford. Eager to discuss 'Scitamineae' plants with Roscoe. So pressed by his "[English] Flora" that he will have to work on the index at Holkham; currently on roses and briars.

Thanks for hospitality during his stay at Norwich. Literary activities: his work on [Alexander] Pope [(1688-1744), poet] drawing to a conclusion with just the biography to be printed; expecting to publish first part of his botanical work ["Monandrian plants"], in which is giving give the generic and specific characters and descriptions in English as his botanical phraseology is too limited; as Smith and [William] Roxburgh did in "Exotic Botany" and "Flora Indica".

They are correct to think that the reviewer of Smith's "English Flora" in the "Phil. Journal" is [James] Bicheno. Ongoing publication of his "Monandrian Plants"; his biography and new edition of [Alexander] Pope's works complete, prepared for "much controversy & some abuse"; his catalogue of Holkham manuscripts [home of Thomas William Coke] also progressing. Met [Thomas William Coke], Lady Anne [(1803-1844), Coke's wife], and boisterous "little Tom". Leaving London soon; dined with Mrs Martin, Fanny [Smith's sisters], and [Nathaniel] Kindersley [Smith's cousin].

Staying with Lady [Pleasance] Smith's aunt, whose house and garden is a "specimen of what one reads about in English novels of the best age, before the history of manners & character gave way to the picturesque or the frightful", although the journey caused his fever to return, which was treated with bleeding and James's powder.

Printing new editions of his "Compendium florae Britannicae" and "Introduction [to Botany]", and anticipates the continuation of "English Flora" to be "merely a pleasure & amusement". Resolved to limit his letter writing, "especially in reply to foolish schemes & questions about botany"; he is now being solicited about a Norwich Botanic Garden, certain it will not amount to anything. Criticises missing date in Roscoe's last letter.

Received from Paris "Annales de las Societe Linneenne de Paris", containing an eulogy of Broussonet. Corrêa has died at Lisbon; he had been a "little perverted by French botanists" and developed a "jealous twist" against Englishmen, especially Sir Joseph Banks.

Sends letter via Dr [William Jackson] and Mrs Hooker. Thanks for Smith's letter of 28 January; sorry to hear of death of his "excellent nephew" in India and comments on the "numerous instances" of similar losses of "our young & adventurous friends in the Western world".

Overwhelmed by the literary work he has undertaken, even though he has almost finished work on [Alexander] Pope [(1688-1744), poet] and the third part on "penal jurisprudence". Third and fourth parts of his "Monandrian Plants" about to appear; notes on 'Maranta', 'Phrynium', and 'Thalia', settled by communications from West Indies; 'Myrosma' cultivated abundantly in Martinique and they expect it at [Liverpool] Botanic Garden, worries it might be a 'Phrynium'; an 'Alpinia auriculata' appearing in his next number, along with figure of [Robert] Brown's 'Hellenia cerulea'. Thanks for Smith's good wishes respecting his son, Thomas, who has settled indepently with his "little family" in Camden Town.

[Letter possibly incomplete: no signature or valediction]

Describes his travels since leaving Norwich on 30 April: stayed with Thomas Forster at Walthamstow and Edward Forster at Hale End, [both in Essex]; gave course of 10 lectures at the London Institution; saw the Coke family and Dr [Martin] Davy of Caius College, [Cambridge]; arrived in Bristol on 12 June but inflammation in his lungs recurred after his first three lectures, following treatment with James's powder, bleeding, and starvation resumed and completed lectures to a "brilliant & numerous" audience; staying in a cottage till end of September to regain his health. Finished third volume of his "[English] Flora". Heat in London prevented him from seeing Roscoe's son, Thomas, and the only exhibition or sight he saw was the King in the drawing room.

[Incomplete translation of letter dated 6 June 1775, by Anna Gurney]

Enclosing list of plants from Sweden which are not listed in "Flora Anglica".

Apologises for delay in responding to Smith; he has been in a state of "unaccountable indolence & debility" with his only exertion being the publication of his "Monandrian Plants"; retierates principal point of the work, being to ascertain precise limits of genera 'Maranta', 'Phrynium', and 'Thalia', and settling points on 'Castus'. Received letter from Thomas William Coke; was anxious to hear of Coke's feverish attack. Hopes to meet Smith again soon.

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.

The severe winter confined him to home. Dissuades Smith from undertaking a cryptogamic flora after conclusion his present work ["English Flora"] on account of the enormous extent, minuteness of research, and Smith's bad eye-sight; believes such a work unworthy of Smith's station and talents.

Unable to finish his description of 'Amomum melegueta' despite use of Smith's observations and article on 'Melegueta' in "Cyclopedia"; will wait for Smith to see his observations and drawing, with Mr Graves, the colourer, at Peckham, [Surrey]. Included 'Cardamom' plant and 'Renealmia/Alpinia exaltata' in his genus 'Matonia'; defends the latter with references to Smith's "Cyclopedia" article, [William] Roxburgh's "Plants of the Coast of Coromandel", and White's "Linnean Transactions" vol 10 paper ['A Botanical Description and Natural History of the Malabar Cardamom']. Disappointed to not join the Smiths at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke].