At [Thomas William] Coke's request encourages Roscoe to visit Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Coke]; describes the delights there including pictures, statues, books, drawings, manuscripts, and prints. Anxious for Coke and Roscoe to become private and public friends, which would be valuable if Roscoe or his son became MP for Liverpool this year as rumoured. Additional incentives of Coke's farming skills and knowledge and visiting [the Smiths] in Norwich.

Thanks for seeds, delayed by [Friedrich Traugott] Pursh's printing of "Flora Americana". [Robert] Brown to visit before going onto Oxford, also visited by Sir George Staunton and [Thomas] Hardwicke. Comments on Smith's 'Magnolia' article in Rees' "Cyclopedia", has two drawings of Plumier's 'Magnolia'. Sends specimens of 'Silene' from Dover, [Kent], for Smith's opinion.

Lady Essex has taken up botany. He has never had so many new plants from foreign seeds, including Mexico. Much amused by second volume of Clark, though laments meddling of the booksellers.

["Spec 14" written in pencil at top of verso of first folio]