Shock at death of [Thomas Taylor], his childhood friend: describes their strong early friendship and its recent renewal during his trip to Liverpool.

Information for John Shepherd's [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] visit to London, including directions, introductions to Sir Abraham and Amelia Hume, and recommendations to see the Lady Hume's garden at Wormleybury, [Hertfordshire], George Hibbert's [(1757-1837), merchant] at Clapham, [Surrey], rich in Cape plants but not West Indian, and [E John Alexander] Woodford's [(fl 1790s-1800s] at Vauxhall, [Surrey]. Sent box of books for Roscoe, including letters to be forwarded to Dr Currie and Dr Brandreth.

Condolences on death of [Thomas] Taylor, who was his introduction to Smith. Called on his brother, Philip Taylor, who is in good health, but Meadow's [Taylor's nephew] leg injury from the rifle corps has swelled and erupted again. [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] began journey to London yesterday and will visit Birmingham and Lord Valentia's [George Annesley] on the way and after visit Smith at Norwich. Thanks for Linnean Society membership. Discusses the health of his two sons.

Approves of Pleasance's arrangements as to the cook, Betty Laws; a joke about her size confounding Bonaparte's invasion plans. Account of his journey from London to Liverpool, via Northampton, Lichfield, Stafford, and Chester. On arrival in Liverpool received by his old friend Thomas Taylor, where he is staying, with Taylor's nephew, Meadows. Refreshing air of Liverpool. Delighted with [William] Roscoe; opinion of his person and character. Promised 100 subscribers to his lectures, paying 2 guineas each; after journey expects to clear £180. Has spent £70 on books of [Edmund] Davall; his library sold "very cheap"; lists books purchased. Leaves it to Pleasance to decide on being godmother to "little Wilkinson", though he dislikes "such ties". [John] Koster, a friend of Correa's, thinks the war ill-judged, and that Correa was made insane by his persecutors in Lisbon. His lectures.

Account of his Liverpool "adventures". Visited the Octagon Chapel, named after their own in Norwich; dined with [William] Roscoe at Allerton [Roscoe's home, near Liverpool], description of house, grounds, and family; visit to Dr Brandreth; visit to Mr Blundell and his Italian collections; dined with Dr Currie.

His lectures: has given two so far, attended by "all the beauty & fashion of the place, as well as by the learned"; William, [Smith's brother], surprised by his oratory, as he never aims at more than "plainness"; finances. Visiting [John] Koster, who was Consul at Lisbon, and was a great friend to Correa and Broussonet in their distresses; convinced the current war is "nearly certain ruin". His mother and Sarah happy at Blackheath.

Has sent [James] Sowerby specimens of 'Ajuga pyramidalis' just received from Mr Gibb, gardener of Lord Seaforth. Certain that Smith will be happy in [William] Roscoe's company. Expecting his daughter-in-law and her family from India.

Second edition of his tour of North Wales to appear shortly, updated from findings of second tour undertaken in 1801. Second edition of his "Animal Biography" also to appear; has material to take it from 3 to 4 volumes; new edition to stay with 3; 750 copies printed. He is now using German writers and untranslated French works for information; difficulty of obtaining Schreber's "Mammalia" and Bloch's "Ichthyologie"; uses British Museum Library; relying on Rees' "Cyclopedia" natural history writers. Requests list of suitable zoology books.

Hopes Smith is not concerned at his library and collections becoming spoils of war; concern for [Adam] Afzelius in Sierra Leone. Asks if there is a French translation of Bloch. Collecting 'Coleoptera'. Asks if Smith wants Hampshire fossils.

Thanks for foreign [zoology] book recommendations. Asks for introduction for Dr Morgan to use Sir Joseph Banks' library.

Invitation to visit Lord Derby [Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby (1752-1834)] at Knowsley [Hall, near Liverpool] on Friday; preparations so they can leave directly after Smith's lecture. Does not dare ask if [William Fitt] Drake can be of the party, on account of Lady Derby's distress following death of her mother.

They can visit Lord Derby [Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby (1752-1834)] at Knowsley [Hall, near Liverpool, Lancashire] on Saturday, instead of Friday, and [William Fitt] Drake now of the party.

Hopes Smith less distressed. Remarkable distress and mortality at Edinburgh so far this year; his own health poor. Received letter from [James] Playfair [(1738-1819), Church of Scotland minister] in March indicating he is still interested in studying honey bees and drones; understands he is to publish his findings. Fears the overturn of peace. [George] Don going on well in Botanic Garden.

Received Smith's letter of 31 August [1803]. Hopes some of his old friends attended Smith's Liverpool lectures. Expects [Edmund] Davall's herbarium of Swiss plants will be a great feast for Smith. Looking forward to next volume of "Flora Britannica". His health better than it has been for several years. [George] Don went with a party to Inch Keeth; health of Dr Rutherford and Dr Waltner. Details of [James] Playfair's [(1738-1819), Church of Scotland minister] intended work [on bees].

Sends the Hindu Salt called Bit-noben [as prescription for Smith], its composition: red oxide of iron, uncombined sulphur, unsaturated soda, and moriatic acid; certain it will do Smith good.

Pleased to receive letter from Smith. Smith's friend, Miss Colombine, situated in a worthy, respectable family, the Brigstockes; her misfortunes to be lamented. [Thomas] Johnes and [Mariamne] Johnes going on well. Smith must have heard much of 'Calx muriata' of Dr [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician]; he does not entirely subscribe to all he says of it.

Will gladly show [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] his garden at Clapham, [Surrey]; his Cape plants most noteworthy, especially 'Protea' and 'Erica'. Gets few things from Botany Bay but believes he is the only one to succeed in raising 'Embothrium speciosissimum' from seed. Requests seeds of 'Boronia serrulata'. Regrets that no Linnean frequently helps him with notes and collation as he does not have the time to study. Anticipating [William Roscoe's] "Leo X", enjoyed his "Life of Lorenzo de Medici".

Gratified to see 'Hypericum calycinum', which Smith thought belonged to British flora. Encloses a new 'Gymnostmum' found near Cork, by Mr Drummond; observations; and possible 'Gymnostmum microstonum'.

[Spec 17 in pencil at top of verso of first folio]

Recommends a chimney-sweeping machine for Smith to introduce at Norwich.

Printed notice by Society for Superseding the Necessity of Climbing Boys..., dated 26 October 1803, recommending to the general public the chimney cleaning machine invented by Mr Smart.

Introduces Dr Allen, of Norwich, [Norfolk]. He and Mrs Forster hope to see the Smiths at Blundeston, [Suffolk], in a few weeks.

Found his new 'Juncus' in rocks about Tunbridge Wells, [Kent], and Hainult forest in Essex, where it grows mixed with 'J. pilosus' and 'J. sylvaticus'; some observations.

Sent [Dawson] Turner and [James] Sowerby specimens of new 'Carex' in flower. Gathered plants of new 'Carex' in 1797 from Cronkley Mountain, but thinks [James] Dickson should still be credited as its discoverer so as not to set a precedent; concedes that Mr Oliver discovered 'Gentiana verna' some years before he did. Proposes name 'C. rupta' for new 'Carex', small sketch in ink of arillus; [William] Brunton thinks it a 'Schoenus'.

Confirms the lichens he sent Smith are 'Lichen tartarius' and 'L. turneri'; observations on these and other lichens he sent Smith. List of cryptogamic and 'Carex' desiderata [some items have been ticked by Smith].

Declines Smith's offer to name a lichen after him. Detailed numbered observations on various 'Lichen'.