Thanks for turkey. Pleased Smith's health improved but recommends continuing daily dose of laundanum for a year. Surprised by failure of plan for monument to Sir Joseph [Banks]; he "certainly judged ill in not leaving a legacy to the Royal Society". Naming of Scottish judges.

Thanks for turkey. Nothing particular to say about Smith's complaint; approves use of aperient pills for regulation of bowels; recommends living chiefly on an "animal diet".

Renews their acquaintance, first made under "most academic roof" of Sir Joseph Banks. Invites Smith to Chelsea for Garden Committee of the Apothecaries Company, of which he is Warden, also invites Smith to the Apothecaries Hall. Received visit from [Thomas] Purton, author of the "Midland Flora"; forgot to asks him about a 'Byssus septica' that occasionally appears in his cellar and leaves everything covered in "very fine soft red particles". His son-in-law, [John] Bowyer Nichols [(1779-1863), painter and antiquary], requested a review of Purton's "Appendix to the Midland Flora" in next "Gentleman's Magazine"; asks Smith's opinion of the work.

Account of various fevers and inflammations suffered by himself, his youngest daughter, his wife, and maid-servant. Death of [Thomas] Purton's eldest son from pulmonary consumption, as well as his partner, who was to have been his son-in-law. Observed again the 'Byssus septica' in his cellar covering everything with particles. Gratified by Smith's remarks on Purton's "Appendix to the Midland Flora". Hopes to see Smith at one of their summer committees [of Apothecaries Company] in Chelsea.

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 greetings, as when he intends to be in Norwich Smith will be away on a tour. Sends coins.

Seeks Barrington's support in gaining admittance of [William] Drake's second son to Christ's Hospital [school], of which he is a governor.

Reserves his support for nominations to Christ's Hospital [school] to inhabitants of his own diocese [in reference to Smith's application to admit William Drake's son a pupil, see RelatedMaterial below].

Sends parcel of plants from [George] Arnott, just returned from excursion to Scotland. Sends copy of his work on Pyrenaean plants; apologises for delay; printed in a hasty manner. The last year so taken up with his legal studies that he has neglected botany, but time spent with Arnott and [William Jackson] Hooker has revived his interest; wrote to Montpellier, [France], to have his herbarium sent over.

Found the 'Tilia' in "English Flora" which Smith was unable to find the fruit of, near Boughton House, [Kettering, Northamptonshire]; also found there 'Tilia parvifolia' growing to a large size, 'T. grandifolia' planted as much 'T. europaea', found fruit of what he thought 'T. corallina' of "Compendium florae Britannicae"; observations. Encloses seeds of a 'Rumex' gathered from a garden at Bannachra, Dumbartonshire, in 1823; observations on plant he grew from the seed, wonders if it is 'Rumex aquaticus', thinks it indigenous. Also encloses double variety of 'Arabis thaliana' from Staffordshire, possible 'Phascum crassinervium' of Schwegrichen; observations. Also sending 'Hypnum trifarium' gathered at Whittlesea Mere, [Huntingdonshire], which is excellent for botanising: 'Empetrum nigrum', 'Myrica gale', 'Andromeda polifolia', 'Liparis loeselii', 'Drosera anglica'. Notes on 'Liparia loeselii' and 'Malaxis paludosa'.

He is acquainted with Smith's friends Mrs [Lucy] Hardcastle of Derby and Dr [Francis] Boott.

Asks if the enclosed Lotus is 'Lotus decumbens'.

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.

Sends concluding numbers of his "Medical Botany"; apologises for the quality of the engravings, a consequence of the "low state of the arts" in USA; engraved in aquatint and printed in colours. Thanks for naming a genus in his honour ['Bigelowia']; unknown to him until supplement of Rees' "Cyclopedia" was reprinted here; recently obtained specimen of a new 'B. pubescens' from Mr Nuttall of Louisiana; [Jean Louis Marie] Poiret [(1755-1834), botanist] has named the genus 'Forrestiera'.

Received Smith's letter of 27 [March 1820]; extremely sorry for Smith's "family distress", hopes he and Lady [Pleasance] Smith will be well enough to come to London in May. His family well, though since the death of his "poor girl" in January they have had a "good deal of sickness"; more sickness in London this winter than ever known. Thinks Sir Joseph Banks has borne the winter well; Mrs [Catherine] Lambert not expected to ever recover her "reason", [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert cannot bear name of his wife to be mentioned.

"Linnean Transactions" vol 13 progressing "very slowly", conflicting opinions on presentation of [Joseph] Smith's [(1775-1857)] paper. Linnean Society's address to the King [George IV (1762-1830)] well received and printed in the "[London] Gazette". Pleased to hear that Smith is to "stick by" the original [Linnean Dining] Club; account of the division, fears consequences of break in Society's harmony which makes him more anxious than before to resign as Secretary.

Just returned from Lowestoft, [Suffolk], "after having paid the last duties to our beloved parent" [Pleasance Smith's mother, Pleasance Reeve, née Clerke (1739-1820)]. Condolences on death of Macleay's loss [his daughter], "more afflicting, as it was not in the course of nature"; like Macleay "never lost so many friends as in the late dreadful winter".

Intends to be in London for Linnean Society meeting on 2 May [1820]. Received poor accounts of Sir Joseph Banks' health from Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, but good account of Mrs [Catherine] Lambert's. Return's Joseph Smith's [(1775-1857)] paper with corrections, observations. Sorry to hear of [Linnean] Club "squabbling", which he thinks "more becoming a tavern than a literary society", but will "lend a hand to calm differences". "Sicken[s] at the thought" of Macleay resigning Secretary position.

Regrets that he has already promised his votes for the Medical Tancred Studentships for 1821 and 1823 have already been promised, for Mr Woodward and Mr Austin, respectively, and otherwise happy to help any descendants of John Taylor; educational advice. Condolences on Smith's "severe losses" [deaths of Smith's and Pleasance Smith's mothers].

Observations on 'Cheiranthus cheiri'; requests Smith's opinion. Sending specimen of 'Cheiranthus fruticulosus', and of doubtful 'C. erysimoides', for identification.

Returned from Scotland. Happy to hear Smith will be at next Linnean Society meeting, hopes Smith can attend upcoming Council meeting. The Society to take late Sir Joseph Banks' house as its rooms, with the drawing room to become the meeting room. A subscription being raised for marble bust of Banks, limited to £1; £100 of £120 cost already raised. New "Linnean Transactions" volume ready for publication before 24 [May 1821], "it will be a very splendid one", the plates for [Robert] Brown's paper cost £240. Necessary for the Society to recruit in order to continue, asks Smith to interest [Thomas] Brightwell [(1787-1868)], "one of the most intelligent entomologists in this kingdom".

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.

Received Smith's letter of 17 [April 1822]; in spite of 12-month interruption of their corresondence his regard for Smith "unaltered and unalterable". The Linnean Society blackballed a man "because he had not treated their President with the respect which he so highly deserves". [Joseph] Sabine has sent Smith a paper of his. Printing of "Linnean Transactions" goes on "very slowly", which vexes him much as he knows the Society at large will blame him for delay.