Hopes Smith receives the treatise he is sending [probably "Plantarum Umbelliferarum denuo disponendarum Prodromus" (1813)], asks that the second copy be sent to [Samuel] Goodenough and that he be sent specimens of any plants he is lacking from that family.

Numbered observations on enclosed plants: 1. what he takes to be either an 'Anthemis' or 'Matricaria', "which has been a stumbling block for 20 years", and is none of those described in "Flora Britannica"; 2. an 'Atriplex' possibly 'A. hastata'.

He is busy with ordinations, confirmations, and visitations. Hopes Smith is well.

Forwarding packets [from George Don], from his comfortable retreat; London much busier than usual this year. Comments on how "indefatigable" [George] Don is, "there is no end to his researches", and "would almost suspect that he had sowed seeds of foreigners". Thinks Don mistaken with his 'Anthoxanthum'.

Mr Holme has arrived here and brought 'Rosa rubella' of "English botany" and 'Cistus marifolius', Holme originally though latter was two species, 'C. marifolius' and C. polifolius'; observations on characteristics.

Sends two plants from [George] Don; cannot work out the 'Anthemis', which is near 'A. cotula', and asks if the 'Atriplex' is 'A. alba' of Gmelin.

Encloses fruit of 'Rosa rubella' at request of Mr Holme. Asks Smith's opinion on news from Europe and whether the "step of Austria" will end the war. Query on calyx of 'Rosa rubella' constant?". Suffering from gout in his left arm and hand.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: flowering specimen of a 'Juncus' he previously sent to [Dawson] Turner, like 'J. campestris' but half the size, proposes name 'J. nivalis'; 2. an 'Arenaria', sent before and very rare, does not agree that it is 'A. verna'; 3. a 'Draba' he sent last year but raised in a frame so too luxuriant, this one from Ben Lawers, proposes name 'D. hispida'; 4. an 'Eriophorum' possibly 'E. scheuchzeri'; 5. a 'Cochlearea', different from 'C. greenlandica'.

As Smith is drawing towards the end of "English botany" suggests he overhauls his previous specimens as Smith will find many has has not taken notice of, especially 'Carex silina' and 'C. saxatilis'. Also encloses specimens of 'Juncus' and 'Fussilago alpina'.

10 specimens, several are identical.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens [some extant]: 1. a more mature specimen of the 'Juncus' sent in his last letter; 2. the 'Draba' sent in his last letter, with seeds; 3. the 'Cochlearia' sent in his last letter, with spotted leaves, proposes name 'C. maculata'; 4. a 'Poa' discovered last year; 5. a beautiful dwarf 'Geum' from Clova mountains; 6. 'Lotus alpinus; thinks the 'Eriophorum' sent in his last letter is still distinct; 7. a 'Carex' separate from 'C. caespitosa' and 'C. panacea'; 8. a 'Juncus' distinct from 'J. pilosus' and 'J. forsterii'; 9. possible 'Holcus odoratus' of Linnaeus; 10. a truly beautiful 'Viola', constantly blue; 11. another 'Viola' with crumpled leaves; 12. a new 'Lamium' formerly called 'L. intermedium' but nearer Smith's 'L. palmatum'; 13. another 'Lamium', thinks Smith's 'L. moschatum'; 14. a 'Saxifraga' Smith concluded to be 'S. pedatifida', differences; 15. 'Saxifraga angustifolia' of [James] Donn [(1758-1813), curator of Cambridge Botanic Garden]; 16. a 'Saxifraga' between 'S. granulata'; 17. a 'Saxifraga' near no.15 but smoother and more blanched; 18. very rare and elegant 'Saxifraga'.

Five specimens.

Just received news of the death of [James] Donn [(1758-1813), curator of Cambridge Botanic Garden] of Cambridge, the last of his personal acquaintance he acquired whilst in London.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: 1. a 'Marchantia', possibly 'M. androgyne'; 2. a 'Trifolium' from dry banks by the sea; 3. a 'Hieracium'; 4. a 'Hieracium'; 5. a 'Hieracium'; 6. 'Myagrum lanceolatum'; 7. a 'Rosa', differs from 'R. spinosissima'; 8. an 'Equisetum', proposes name 'E. alpinum'.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: 1. a 'Galium' he previously sent in 1810 and would like to be called 'G. rigidum'; 2. 'Galium perfectum' of "Flora Britannica"; 3. a nondescript 'Rosa', proposes name 'R. incana'; 4. a nondescript 'Poa'; 5. a nondescript 'Poa'; 6. an 'Anthoxanthum', if new proposes name 'A. alpinum' or 'A. longifolium'; 7. a 'Prunella', larger than 'P. vulgaris'; 8. a 'Pyrithrum' or 'Anthemis'; 9. a 'Hieracium', proposes name 'pubescens'; 10. 'Senecio lividus'; 11. 'Rosa gallina', requests confirmation; 12. an 'Adoxa', asks if different from 'A. moschatellina'; 13. a 'Pyrola', proposes name 'P. alpina'.

Returns 4 drawings with descriptions for no.263 [of "English botany"]. He has heard or done nothing regarding the vacancy at the [British] Museum, and if Sowerby had wished it would have done more for him than anyone else, even though [William] Bingley and his brother, Frederick, applied to him first; the position not to be had "without much exertion", and would be a "place of abject drudgery and dependence", knowing the "domineering & meddling char[acte]r of some of the trustees.

Received confirmation of safe receipt of his lichen collection by Linnean Society. Still awaiting copies of "Flora Britannica" and "Linnean Transactions", and specimens of Australian plants. Encloses specimens for Smith [extant]. Pleased Smith has seen his "Lichenographia universalis". Hopes Smith does not finish fourth volume of "Flora Britannica" before seeing his "Synopsis Methodica Lichenum". Sending paper on 'Glyphis' and 'Chiodecton' for "Linnean Transactions"; notes on engravings.

Two specimens attached, labelled in Smith's hand: 1. "'Oscillaloria pubfufera' Vauch. & Agaroh. 'Conferv. velubina' Roth.". 2. 'Ulva terreftus' Wulf. Roth.".

Merits of small turkeys "over more pompous large ones". His roost robbed but only old birds taken.

Introduces Charles Fueter; establishment of Local Bot. Gard. and Museum.

Sends seeds; asks for list of desiderata to avoid duplication; sends his list.

Thanks for Smith's sympathies on death of his clever and resourceful daughter, [Maria]. She was attended to by Dr [Matthew] Baillie, gives an account of her final illness and death: following her recovery from an indisposition which lasted over a year a bilious attack came on which gave way to a low fever and rapid accumulation of water on the chest and in the lungs, leading to instantaneous suffocation. During the fever her pulse was only from 78 to 84. Calomel, draughts, blisters behind the ears and on the scalp, and seed water were all tried. Sir Joseph Banks very ill but thinks his strong constitution will carry him through; the moderate quantities of L'Eau medicinale he has taken have not had their usual relieving effect.

Had heard that Smith is "making a push at Cambridge" [for the Botany Professorship]. Knows no Cambridge people except Smith's friends Davies, Young of Trinity, and Holme of Peterhouse, but has convinced his Dean of Carlisle, [Isaac] Milner [(c 1750-1820), mathematician] that Smith's science "ought to beat down all barriers of doubt & difficulty & academic etiquette". Goodenough uneasy that Smith has Lord Hardwicke [Philip Yorke, 3rd Earl of Hardwicke (1757-1834)] and friends for supporters as there is "always a strong jealousy of them"; advises Smith to base his cause on his "infinite superiority in the science of botany". Having read Smith's account of his headaches fears Smith may be in danger of developing gout seeing as air and exercise neither "mends nor mars" him. Imminent marriage of Goodenough's daughter, Sophia.

Notes and observations accompanying his specimens of 'Myosotis', numbered, including: 'M. patula', 'M. versicolor', 'M. umbrata', 'M. umbrata' variety, 'M. rupicola', 'M. palustris', and 'M. repens'.

Recovered from several violent catarrhous complaints and coughs. Also heard a good account of [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and the Linnean Society, "both are in good preservation". He and others doubt the eligibility of Cullum's proposal for an annual Linnean Society medal for best paper, "pure fame is a better object than gold". Currently working on the syngenesious class of Greek plants, which will finish third part of "Florae Graecae Prodromus". Recently wrote lives of Philip Miller and [Robert] Morison [(1620-1683), botanist] for [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia", and [Francis] Masson's [(1741-1805), Kew plant collector] has just appeared [in a footnote to this paragraph Cullum has noted that Smith was paid £3000 for his contributions to the "Cyclopedia"]. Praises Hooker's work "Jungermanniae".

Expects his campaign for Cambridge botany professorship to be successful. Received encouraging letter from [Thomas] Martyn [incumbent professor of botany] explaining the three-part composition of his botanical professorship: the university professorship, elected by Senate; the Regius professorship, given by the King; and the garden and lectureship founded by Dr [Richard] Walker [(1679-1764)]. Martyn has proposed to resign the garden lectureship in favour of Smith to allow him to gain an interest for when the others become vacant. Discusses his plans to canvas for the garden and lectureship and expects his rivals, Brook, [George] Leathes [(1779-1836)], and [Richard] Relhan to withdraw. Received assistance from Cullum's friend [William] Webb. Intends to go to London, Cambridge, and then home. Gathered 'Monotropa' in woods near to this place.

Reports on his summer excursion: visited Sir Joseph Banks at Spring Grove, Smallbury Green, and his garden and "elegant dairy", afraid Banks will not walk properly again; the Bishop of Winchester's [Brownlow North] garden containing magnolias, tea trees, 'Salisburia adiantifolia', 'Arbutus andrachne', and rhododendrons; disappointed by Isle of Wight other than Sir Nash Grose's [(1740-1814), judge] house; impressed with Portsmouth's fortifications and dockyards, thinks that it will be a great loss if those of the 7000 [French] prisoners in Portchester Castle are stopped making their lace; also visited Chichester, Arundel, Worthing, Brighton, and London. Heard of deaths of [George] Shaw and Dr [John] Davie, Master of S[i]dney Sussex College, Cambridge. [Thomas] Martyn evidentally still intellectually active, having edited Dr Steven's "Treatise on Human Happiness".