Introduces [George Wilson] Meadley [(1774-1818)] of Bishop's Wearmouth, [Sunderland], friend of Thomas [Furly] Forster and author of a life of Algernon Sidney, and a life of Paley. Congratulates Turner on birth of another son.

Sends copy of his "Illustrationes Theophrasti". Would like to see a new edition of Theophrastus.

Received Smith's letter of 11 [June]. His enjoyment of this house; "it is really the nicest cradle for old age" and intends to spend winter here. Shortly returning to Hafod, [Cardiganshire]. Asks Smith to order "empyreumatic lignious acid" for him; anxious to try it on flesh and fish. Asks if Smith has seen Slater's "steam kitchen", "one of the cleverest and most useful inventions". Looking forward to Smth and [Thomas William] Coke's visit to Hafod; his high opinion of Coke. Smith's opinion that we may be near the end of the French Revolution is "very just", though not as near as the ministers think; French politics.

Confirms that it was his friend Merivale who wrote the verses for Miss [Mariamne] Johnes' epitaph [his daughter]; Merivale's character and other work. Dreads the effect of her memorial, to be erected shortly.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 13 [January]. Just recovered from severe cough and inflammation on the lungs, the same as last year which Mr Williams "wilfully" misdiagnosed. Surprised and upset by failure of [William] Roscoe's bank [Roscoe was a partner in the Clarke family bank, which failed in 1816]. Fears the country is in a "miserable state" and does not know what can be done to pay the nation's creditors. He has no rents and farms thrown "on hand", wishes that [Thomas William] Coke's tenant who "set a notable example of calling out his landlord" had been "more severely punished". Would be happy to see Smith's friend Mr Lane at Lympstone, [Devon].

By request of Mrs [Jane] Johnes informs Smith of the death of Colonel [Thomas] Johnes, at four p.m. yesterday afternoon.

Thanks Smith for the letter he sent Mr [James] Goss on the death of her husband, [Thomas Johnes], and for his friendship to him and their "darling daughter" [Mariamne Johnes]. Her grief and Christian faith.

Will of Thomas Johnes: estimated that after debts Thomas Johnes has left his widow [Jane Johnes] £40,000, "much more than sufficient" for a comfortable maintenance. A considerable legacy was left to Hugh Smith, late of Lincoln's Inn, and the reversion of Hafod, [Cardiganshire], was sold to Clauton two years ago, to be completed on Johnes' death.

Fruit experiments: after experimenting with white chili and black strawberry varieties to find specific identity is now convinced they are both varieties of the Canadian wood strawberry, culled by gardeners of the Duke of Kent [Prince Edward (1767-1820)], which is the parent of the common. Bred peach and almond freely so no longer doubts their specific identity and hopes to present fruit obtained from seed of almond and pollen of peach to the Linnean Society next year.

Attended Linnean Society anniversary meeting; there was general sorrow at Smith's absence and the cause of it, hopes he is well again. Happy to observe the increase of "friendly feelings" between the Linnean and Horticultural Societies, and the latter as the younger Society is careful not to invade on the Linnean's province. Received letter from [Charles-François Brisseau de] Mirbel; he has given Horticultural Society his hypothesis on the conversion of bark into albumum. Unsure of what to make of his "rival" Patrick Keith [(1769-1840), clergyman and botanist] in "Linnean Transactions" and two subsequent volumes [see RelatedMaterial below], as his "misrepresentations are too gross"; will ignore the books but must point out his "Transactions" errors.

Looking forward to visit of Smith and [William] Roscoe from Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] to Narford. Thanks for ticket to the Norwich Ball.

Sends copy of his "Extracts [from Bruce's travels in Abyssinia]", as an explanatory note to his edition of Theophrastus he sent Smith last summer ["Theophrasti Eresii de Historia plantarum"]

Flattered by gratification Smith and [William] Roscoe received from their visit to Narford. Comments that whilst the English "for more than a century have been in the practice of purchasing minor curiosities in Italy, the French, "at one fell swoop", carried off the best statues, pictures, and the rarest books and manuscripts from the Vatican. Praises Roscoe. Will visit Smith in Norwich, [Norfolk], in the winter.

A recent, "most melancholy" family event delayed his response to Smith's letter. Selling the papers of Lord Chief Justice Coke [Sir Edward Coke (1552-1634)] to Thomas William Coke to relieve Coke of any "supposed obligation", even though he is aware that in the library at Holkham "they will be in their proper place"; asks Smith to value them.

In postscript adds that he intends to retain one manuscript from Coke in the office of Earl Marshall, and one printed book, the "Great Nuremerg Chronicle", as they were the property of Lord Coke and unconnected with law.

Forced to cancel his visit to Smith in Norwich following "sudden and unexpected" death of his father-in-law. Thanks Smith for agreeing to value the eleven volumes of [Sir Edward] Coke's papers [(1552-1634), lawyer, legal writer, and politician, ancestor of Thomas William Coke, to whom he sold the papers]. Pleased to learn from Smith's former letter that [William] Roscoe's prospects have improved [Roscoe was declared bankrupt in 1816], though sorry his library could not be saved.

Thanks for Smith's letter; has nothing to add in reference to [Sir Edward] Coke's papers [(1552-1634), lawyer, legal writer, and politician, ancestor of Thomas William Coke, to whom the papers were being sold] manuscripts and they are ready for collection. Regretted to hear Coke had been in great danger of losing one of his eyes, observes that individuals "in these large shooting parties" are in constant risk of being shot. Glad to hear of [Thomas] Woodward's good health in his seventy-third year.

Induced to part with the papers of [Sir Edward] Coke [(1552-1634), lawyer, legal writer, and politician, ancestor of Thomas William Coke] by the propriety of Coke's wish to possess the papers of the "great founder of the splendor of his family". Satisfied with the value Smith set on them.

Confirms details for payment of £100 by [Thomas William] Coke for the papers of [Sir Edward] Coke [(1552-1634), lawyer, legal writer, and politician, ancestor of Thomas William Coke]. Thanks for Smith's London invitation but his father's health prevents him from leaving Norfolk all spring. Pleased to hear of an improvement in [William] Roscoe's affairs [following a bankruptcy in 1816].

Comments that whilst the Earl of Leicester [Thomas Coke (1697-1759)] left Holkham "magnificently decorated", Coke is right to make improvements. Duke of Bedford [John Russell, 6th Duke] has done himself honour by presenting a copy of his book ["Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis" (1816)] "to the first botanist in Europe".

Sends copy of [Lewis David de] Schweinitz and [Johann Baptist von] Albertini's "Fungi Niskienses". Explains the genesis of the work; well received in Europe and by Persoon.

Sends copies of his book ["Memoires pour servir a l'histoire naturelle des Abeilles..."] for Linnean Society.

Thanks for Smith's letters of 24 April and 3 May, his daughter [Mariamne Johnes] thanks Smith for the seeds. Has had a severe cold and fever and sprained his ankle in a fall. Asks Smith's brother the best place and persons to buy crimson serges from. Flattered by Smith's dedication [in his "Tour to Hafod" (1810)]; crossed out a few words in the preface for displaying "far too much vanity on my part, and alas this place has gained me enemies enough". Supposes it comes out the same time as his [Enguerrand de] Monstrelet [(1400-1453), French chronicler] translation, of which the entire edition has sold before publication. Impatient to go home but it will not be complete till the end of the month. Surprised by number of books he has saved from the fire or from being thieved; Smith's "Insects [of Georgia]" amongst them, and once all arranged expects to have a finer collection than before.

[In postscript] thanks Smith for wheat, which he sowed into the garden straight away.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 13 June but still waiting for "the handsome present", blames White [publisher] for not following his advice. Found that the best market for the serges he wanted is in Bristol; thanks Smith for his assistance. Knows little of [Thomas] Andrew Knight and does not share the same opinion "which he seems to have of himself".

Always though D'Eon "a man, & that it was a gambling trick of that scoundrel de Morande to gain money by the policy", and all has now turned out as he expected. Discusses [William] Windham's [(1750-1810), politician] death and his former friendship with him; received a letter from him just before the event. Returned to Hafod first week of June but workmen still here and has no bed to offer anyone. Satisfied to find that all he planned surpasses his expectations, "both for comfort & magnificance", and it is far superior to the old house.

Sending portfolio of drawings soon but Stadler wants them a little longer. Has not had his copies of his [Enguerrand de] Monstrelet [(1400-1453), French chronicler] translation; describes the contents. Discusses a poem and biography of [Emperor] Maximilian [I (1459-1519)] with curious wood cuts by same engraver; lost copies of both in his library fire and replaced former but not the latter yet.

Employing himself in "all the luxury of complete idleness". Though books in Britain are selling at "immense" prices surprised by prices in France, citing recent publication of three part work on Egypt containing 840 prints on vellum paper costing 5400 francs [pencil annotations of other figures]. Had some fine drawings for French edition of Monstrelet but they arrived too late. Decoration of his hall.