Just returned from 10 days at [Thomas William] Coke's at Holkham [Hall, Norfolk]; unable will send a paper for tonight's Linnean Society meeting but will do for the next. Recovered from his illness since August but caught a cold on way to Holkham. The Prince Regent [later George IV (1762-1830)] wishes to become the Society's patron but the matter is stationary until he is free from restrictions on his involvement with chartered bodies; Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley, "our zealous friend, is on the watch for the completion of the business". Had not heard of plan for a Linnean Dining Club, but "supposes it will be a good plan, as nothing is done in London without eating & drinking"; offers his assistance in removing anyone's reluctance.

Thanks for basket of game. Assures Smith he did not mean to suggest Smith was trying to influence [William Fitt Drake] with his own religious persuasions, and looks upon "any conscientious dissenter as being as good & as religious as any churchman whatsoever".

Will join the Linnean Dining Club, proposed by [William George] Maton, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Mr Baker, if it is a "frugal literary dinner, where eating is not the primary object". Fears the plans for it are moving too fast; could not attend a meeting on subject held at the British Coffee House and attended by Maton, [George] Shaw [(1751-1813)], [Joseph] Sabine, and [William] Pilkington [(1758-1848)] as it would be "out of character". Enjoying reading "Lachesis Lapponica" and the greater maturity of Linnaeus' writing compared to his earlier "Systema".