Accouunt of a dinner at William Smith's. Attending Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Lord Valentia [George Annesley] has given him many new shells. His future plans, including visits to Blackheath, and giving 6 more lectures, ending on 14 June.

Account of Linnean Society anniversary meeting; [Richard] Salisbury and others did not vote; the dinner attended by 63 people, the largest number yet, including Bishops of Winchester and Carlisle [respectively Brownlow North and Samuel Goodenough], Lord Valentia [George Annesley], Sir Abraham Hume, Sir Thomas Gage, and [John] Symmons. A toast was made to him by Valentia, stating that whatever the Linnean Society is or has been is owed to Smith, and he presented Goodenough and [Thomas] Marsham as being with him the first 3 projectors of the Society.

Visited Sir Joseph Banks this morning and was discussing botany with [Jonas] Dryander and [Robert] Brown when Salisbury entered; his "Paradisus [Londinensis]" stopped for want of money, though Banks gave Hooker £50; spoke civilly to Salisbury at Linnean Society about a 'Narcissus' that was there; Salisbury looks thin and pale, and Brown "cannot abide him". Thinks his and [James] Sowerby's new work will proceed; details. His "Introduction [to Botany]" praised by all the people he most depends on. Attended opera with [James] Crowe and family. Future visits to Blackheath and Kew; [William Townsend] Aiton was at the dinner.

Letter scented with balm of Gilad.

Sends a plant found by the Marquess of Stafford [George Leveson-Gower (1758-1833)] near Dunrobin Catle, Sutherland, would like Smith's opinion on what it is. Refers to a plan for sowing the fruit of roses, saying it might lead to some "elucidation of the limits of different species". Confirms a 'Polemonium caeruleum' is wild.

Lord Stafford [George Leveson-Gower (1758-1833)] will give Smith a ticket to see the pictures. Chases up Smith's opinion on a species of 'Carex' he sent some years ago. Deficient in figures of fungi, complains that [James] Sowerby has taken no notice of many species including ones distinct from Sowerby's found by Butt at Arley, Worcestershire. In a "wretched country" for botanising, having seen no rare plants except the 'Andromeda' and the three 'Droseras' which grow near Whitmore, Staffordshire. 'Epilobium angustifolium' gathered wild on the banks of Windermere, Cumberland, is growing in a garden, although Butt thinks it is closer to 'Epilobium angustissimum', offers to send specimens. Lord Valentia [George Annesley] printing his work in London.

Has been investigating the Dinagepour [Dinajpur] district of India but has had very little botanical success due to the season being unfavourable although optimistic about spending the spring in the Assam region. Sends seeds of 'Ocimum sanctum' [Holy Basil] and a species which is probably the 'Ocimum gratissimum' of Linnaeus so as to allow Smith to clear up any doubts and the differences between these and the Sweet Basil.

Comments on "Babui Toolsee" [babui tulsi, Hindi] and seeds which give "fine nourishment", perplexed that the natives give preference to the other plant which has "nothing remarkable about it". States that the "Encycl. Method." names 'Ocimum basilicum' as the holy Toolsy [tulsi] of the Hindus but believes what he is sending is the real plant, which is cultivated, whilst the "Babui Toolsee" grows wild.

Linnean Society currently depends entirely upon Smith for papers, short for ninth volume of "Linnean Transactions". Intends to offer an essay on 'Holoraceae' including 'Amaranthaceae' and 'Atriplius', which has been neglected by botanists but Brown has examined most of it in determining his New Holland [Australia] plants. Sends list of species from Linnaeus herbarium Brown would like to inspect: 'Achyranthes muricata', 'Achyranthes alternifolia', 'Achyranthes alternifolia', 'Celosia argentea', 'Celosia margaritacea', 'Celosia gnaphaloides', 'Illecebrum brachiatum', 'Illecebrum sanguinolentum', 'Illecebrum canariense', 'Illecebrum bengalense', 'Illecebrum polygonoides', 'Illecebrum precordium', 'Illecebrum cymosum', 'Illecebrum alsinifolium', 'Illecebrum suffruticosum', 'Gomphrena arborescens', 'Corispermum squarrosum', 'Camphorosma monspeliaca', 'Camphorosma actua', 'Camphorosma glabra', 'Camphorosma paleacea', 'Salsola rosacea', 'Salsola sativa', 'Salsola polyclonos', and 'Salsola hirsuta' [list of plants is marked in pencil in Smith's hand with either a tick or cross, note in Smith's hand "plants lent and returned"]

Has been suffering from persistent ailments. Observations on Smith's two species of 'Brodiaea' in [Sir Joseph] Banks' herbarium, compares 'Brodiaea congesta' with work of [Archibald] Menzies and [Richard] Salisbury. Observations on capsules of 'Acrostichum digitatum'. At the request of [Jonas] Dryander arranging his 'Protaceae', with view to publication in "Linnean Transactions", queries Smith on 'Protea' in Linnaeus' herbarium: 'Protea cyanoides', 'Protea phylicoides', 'Protea sphaerocephala', 'Protea racemosa', 'Protea spicata', 'Protea strobilina', 'Protea sencea', 'Protea hirta', and 'Protea obliqua'.

Questions for Smith on papers he wrote on New Holland [Australian] plants in ninth volume of "Linnean Transactions". Believes 'Conchium congifolium' is the same as 'Conchium pugioniforme', opinions on 'Conchium sphaeroideum' and 'Conchium compressum'. Believes Smith's 'Gompholobium maculatum', described under 'Gompholobium scabrum', is a distinct species as comprehended under Linnaeus's 'Sophora genistoides'. Believes 'Bossiaea ovata' may be 'Bossiaea heterophylla'. Questions appropriateness of 'Scolopendrium' as a name. Thanks Smith for answers his on 'Protea', his developments, has finished his paper on the subject. Comments on paucity of botanical matters in other journals. Remarks on a paper read by [David] White on the Malabar 'Cardamom' which Brown believes proves it is a distinct genus, at least by [William] Roscoe's principles.

Sends corrected and enlarged volume [of his "Index Plantarum"]; uncertain how to proceed with publication.

Sends his promised paper [extant, extracted from "Monthly Magazine" May 1803]. Hopes he will be able to entertain Smith again soon.

"On the Use of the Words "Shall" and "Will", extracted from "Monthly Magazine" May 1803, 2pp.

Long delay in receiving Smith's note and present of 20 February [1808]. Encloses paper for the Linnean Society; may otherwise include it as note in his work on Anglesey plants ["Welsh botanology" (1813)]. Notices by last number of "English botany" that he is too late to make statement about 'Lichen bicolor'. Concerned to hear of [Richard] Salisbury's "continued insolence" toward Smith, and how [Edward] Donovan [(1768-1837), zoologist] "insults the ashes" of [Thomas] Pennant; intends to respond on latter.

Sent [James] Sowerby specimens of his new 'Potamogeton', previously thought it an elegant 'Euphorbia'; observations.

Forwards letters to SmithEncloses letters [not extant]. Invited to Royal Academy dinner, suspects the invitation is due to Smith.

[Drafts or copies of three letters, the first undated, the second 18 September, and the third 11 October]

Asks Konig to inform writer of the "Monthly Magazine" Botanical Reports to redress injustice made against him in passage on [Richard] Salisbury's 'Erodendrum turbiniflorum'; explains his dispute with Salisbury and insists it is not botanical; his resolution not to respond to anything of Salisbury's. Report was also unjust to [Henry Charles] Andrews [(fl 1794-1830)]. Explains his misrepresented comment in former Report about ignorant travel writers. Notes on 'Tropaeolum pinnatum' of Andrews. Pleased to hear Konig is to revive "Annals of Botany" or similar work.

[18 September] short version of above letter.

[11 October] Satisfied with Konig's letter to botanical reporter of the "Monthly Magazine" but insists a statement appear clearing himself of any culpability. Sorry "Annals of Botany" is not to continue.

Further discussion of controverted passage in the "Monthly Magazine"; believes it may only be a figure of speech; regret of the writer in offending Smith. Has completely relinquished idea of reviving "Annals [of Botany]"; miscommunication between himself and Dr [John] Sims. [Jonas] Dryander working on new edition of "Hortus Kewensis".

Whilst suffering a severe attack of gout 3 years ago, was recommended the Kingslandian system by Colonel Montagu, but it seized his head and eye and led to further complications. Hopes to begin studying botany again this year. Sent [James] Sowerby specimen of 'Hyacinthus comosus' of Jacquin, wild in this county; observations. Unable to confirm if 'Cypripedium calecol' is a Berkshire plant; believes his friend may have been deceived by foliage of 'Orchis mascula'. An 'Alca aller' was shot inland in early November, by presence of which he portended a long or severe winter. Encloses paper by [James] Bicheno on "the sleep of plants" for Linnean Society.

Thanks for copy of Smith's "Introduction to Botany". Comments on error on page 263 regarding a 'Liliaceous' plant found by him on north-west coast of America, encloses note [extant] written by [Richard] Salisbury in margin of Sir Joseph Banks' copy of book stating same, offers to send the drawings and descriptions for Smith to reexamine.

Would have complied with Smith's wishes relative to the new 'Liliaceous' genus but [Richard] Salisbury has published it in last number of "Paradisus Londinensis" as 'Hookera coronaria'; transcribes the entry.

Received Smith's letter of 22 December 1807, but is hindered by disrupted navigation from sending anything other than a letter. His own observations in response to Smith's observations on plant specimens 703-780. Lists those of his plant specimens sent to Smith still to be determined. [Carl] Willdenow has not written to him for some time, so still in doubt over the specimens he sent for determination.

Received [Dawson] Turner's "Muscologiae Hibernicae" and his treatise on 'Fucus' ["A synopsis of the British Fucus"].

Sends parcel from [William] Borrer and a few drawings, including part of a sketch of 'Tremella sarcoides' as he is confident it is young state of another plant; observations. Asks after variety of 'Primula veris' sent some years ago by [Charles] Abbot, figured some years ago in "Annales du Museum" [1808] under name 'P. perreiniana'.

Unsigned.

Encloses a specimen of grass which she is informed is not known in England; the seeds of it came among some flax seeds from Archangel, [Russia]. Requests Smith's opinion [Smith has annotated "'Lolium arvense'"].

Thanks for parcel of plants, his joy at receiving "this treasure" from Smith, whom he considers his "teacher in botany". Account of his botanical education, which began with Smith's "Compendium florae Britannicae" when studying in Germany.

Enquires after protocol for sending papers to the Linnean Society. Discusses German botanical authors and their publications, including [Johann Friedrich] Blumenbach, [Albrecht Wilhelm] Roth, and [Friedrich Wilhelm von] Leysser; botanised with the latter. Hopes Smith received and enjoyed the medical paper he sent.