About letter writing, and the joy JG receives from his children.

Coming to terms with the death of his wife and with his new life [letter completed 1818-12-8].

Discussion of melons: should not have dismissed Great Mogul before Smith tried it, and read of a fine variety brought from Persia by Sir Gore Ouseley [1st baronet (1770-1844)] but till he tastes it will stick with the Green Egyptian. Will determine whether the plant he sent Smith is 'Sonchus arvensis var' with seeds he saved. Low barometer readings during recent storm: 28.17 on Wedneday at Thirkleby and 27.95 at Gordon Castle, [Moray], their wind "trifling compared to its fury in the South" and no damage to his house built on hill but skylight and tiles on his son's house in Curzon Street, [London], were damaged and trees uprooted in Chesterfield Gardens.

Trying to find plants unattractive to rabbits and hares after having to cradle 'Pyrus japonica' sent by [James] Lee: has not ascertained whether it is true that they only interfere with transplants and not those sown directly; 'Rhododendron ponticum' grown in the wood, box and privet safe but American bird cherry, 'Hippophae', 'Aucuba japonica' and juniper destroyed. Convinced a neighbouring nurseryman to write his labels in the more durable Indian ink. Surprised to receive letter of thanks from Horticultural Society for the Newton pippin apples he sent to [James] Dickson. Intends to search for ferns and mosses by side of Hambleton, [Yorkshire], believes no botanist has been there before.

Gathering evidence on power of crossbills to kill young rooks; Norfolk Eton boys used to speak of them being shot with bolts. Mentions his son's growing interest in natural history, especially geology, and encloses specimen as example [undisclosed]. His health good but Lady Frankland gradually failing from complaint of several years standing from which none have ever recovered, she is frequently attended by Sir Everard Home and Atkinson of York.

Small sketch in ink of plant detail "'Aspidium thelypteris (from Mr Teesdale) confirms you descrip[tio]ns in "English Botany" by the length of lower leaves, very ill figured by [James] Sowerby".

Sends copies of his discourse on opening of the Liverpool Royal Institution for distribution. Details of two courses of lectures by [Thomas Stewart] Traill [(1781-1862), physician], on natural history, and Mr Campbell, on ancient and modern literature, from January to May; invites Smith to lecture in June and July, depending on his engagements. Taking an active part in public concerns of the Institution as a "counterpoise" to his troublesome business matters.

Asks when Smith can visit Liverpool, as [Thomas Stewart] Traill [(1781-1862), physician] finishes his course this week and Mr Campbell is not free to lecture until latter end of June, so the interval time is free for Smith's lectures. Explains the lecturer's fees, which are based on two guineas for each subscriber, with a certain amount being guaranteed. Will endeavour to have Smith nominated Professor of Botany. His business affairs continue to improve and will soon be reestablished.

Read Smith's Cambridge pamphlet with "equal impatience & pleasure"; believes it will eventually gain him the position [of botany professor]. Transcribes notice for the "Liverpool Mercury" announcing Smith's upcoming course of lectures on botany and vegetable physiology at Liverpool Royal Institution; requests further details from Smith; the subscription for non-proprieters will be two guineas. Sorry to hear Lady [Pleasance] Smith will not be accompanying Smith to Liverpool.

Describes his return journey from Liverpool, which included a stop at Matlock, [Derbyshire], to climb on Cromford Moor, "often celebrated in "English Botany"", for the first time since 1792; saw many lichens but concludes the dry summer has prevented their fructification. Has informed [Thomas William] Coke about Roscoe's intended visit. The Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North] delighted by his Cambridge pamphlet; finds it curious that four Oxford bishops approve of his candidacy for Cambridge botany professorship.

Received a "curious work" by Sprengel ["Plantarum Umbelliferarum" (1813)] in which 'Umbelliferae' is reformed as successfully as 'Scitamineae' was by Roscoe; transcribes a Greek quote referring to himself. Encloses packet of New Holland fern seeds. Lists stipulations if the [Liverpool Royal] Institution should invite him to lecture again, would also stay two months to study the Botanic Garden for a long held project on garden plants.

[Letter possibly incomplete: no signature or valediction]

Hymn written by Smith, 6 stanzas. Never saw [Aylmer Bourke] so struck with anything; they showed it to [William Lisle] Bowles [(1762-1850)], the poet, who was "profuse in commendation" and lamented that the church did not use such.

[Letter incomplete: this is the second folio of letter, the proceeding folio presumed destroyed. Fragments from other letters have been pasted to bottom of verso of folio]

Observations on 'Lignum cyprinum', following an article in "Linnean Transactions"; has compared it with specimen of the same in [Richard] Pococke's herbarium, in the possession of Baker, and compares it to the 'Liquidamberi arbor' of [Leonard] Plukenet's "Phytographia", identified by [Paul Dietrich] Giseke as the 'Liquidambar styraciflua' of Linnaeus, and 'Acer campestre' from [Caspar] Bauhin's "Prodromus". Offers Smith any information from Pocoke's herbarium if required.

Outline sketch of leaf on verso of second folio.

Happy about Smith's intention to publish a Mantissa, believes it should take precedence over translating "Flora Britannica" into English and would be the work on which "any lasting reputation must depend". Pleased to send Smith a copy of his "Hindu Genealogies". Preparing memoirs for different maps drawn by natives of Ava, Burma, to be published in the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal. His manuscript of the Gangetic fishes with the publisher. Took the name Hamilton in order to succeed to the estate of Bardowie. Wishes to procure everything that is likely to be naturalised in a narrow wooded glen and which does not already grow in Scotland.

Encloses "curious communication" from DeWitt Clinton, Governor of New York, to David Hosack, on wild wheat; the latter wishes it to be read at Linnean Society. Clinton has sent specimens of the wheat but still awaiting receipt. Hosack wishes to join Linnean Society, suggests he does so as FLS rather than FMLS to save time. Pleased to hear [Alexander von] Humboldt and [Jean] Cuvier are proposed FMLS, , not yet received, wishes to become a Linnean member; glad to hear that Humboldt and Cuvier have been proposed, [Augustin] de Candolle should also be proposed.

Clinton a "very great friend to science, a practical naturalist, & of a most amiable character"; transcribes extract from letter by Clinton describing that "as yet clouds of darkness rest upon the Natural science of our Country". Hopes to send Macleay a Norfolk turkey.

Sorry to hear [Thomas] Marsham has been a defaulter to government, "he that was always so loyal, calumniating better men than himself, with all the cockney church & king cant", and compares him to the "great saints in religion, all with some sinister motive". Thinks the Linnean Society should now enforce payment.

Sorry to not have seen Smith yesterday. The general election and debate over arrangements for a visit, including accomodation of his indigestion. Keen for [Jacob] Bigelow to become a member of Linnean Society and a Foreign Member of the Royal Society.

Smith's canvassing for Cambridge professorship. Will shortly visit Smith in Norwich if the Norfolk election is not contested. [Jacob] Bigelow and his possible elections to Royal Society and Linnean Society. A "large serpent" has appeared in the sea "again", although changed enough in appearence for no notice to be taken of the "lumps upon his back" and with a head 14 feet long, relates remarks from Bigelow who compares it to a serpent that appeared off Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Explains how he came to miss Smith the last time he was in London.

Has been reading some of Smith's papers, awed by his industry. Will shortly visit Smith in Norwich before going onto Paris with his brother. Has received a letter from Sir Joseph Banks, who thinks the "snake" is the same as that which visited the coast last autumn.

Directions for various parcels for Smith to forward. Reviews [Jacob] Bigelow's "Medical Botany". Invites Smith to visit on his way to Liverpool. Fears he may have been "very presumptuous" with Lady Smith in "thinking so highly of Byron". Planning to ask Sir Joseph Banks to introduce Bigelow as a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Thanks Smith on subject of epitaph for [Henry] Kirke White [(1785-1806), poet] , unsure whether to speak to [William] Roscoe about it or go with his original intention to "make his monument his name alone". Asks Smith to remind [Edward] Rigby of his promise to Boott should an enlarged edition of "Holkham, its agriculture" be published. Pledges his support to Smith over Cambridge dispute.

Two vacancies for FMLS following deaths of [Eugen Johann Christoph] Esper [(1742-1810), entomologist] and Tingry; [Alexander von] Humboldt and [Jean] Cuvier proposed. An additional vacancy has arisen following death of [Nikolaus von] Jacquin; [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert is to propose [José Antonio] Pavon, asks if Smith has any preferences other than [Augustin] de Candolle. Sees no problem in Smith signing the FMLS certificates, Sir Joseph Banks does the same at Royal Society.

Frustrated in his attempts to send Smith a turkey. Comments on death of "good old" [Nikolaus von] Jacquin. "Extremely anxious" that [DeWitt] Clinton be proposed FMLS; praises his introductory discourse in first volume of the New York Society's "Transactions". Prefers [Augustin de] Candolle to be elected next, followed by [José Antonio] Pavon, will write to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert on the matter, though he is "worried to death with writing letters".

Thanks for turkey and Smith's letters of 2 and 11 [January 1818]. Requests certificate for [DeWitt] Clinton's nomination as FMLS; at the last meeting both [Augustin de] Candolle and [José Antonio] Pavon were proposed, so there are now 4 candidates for 3 vacancies; concern at Clinton not attracting enough signatures, encloses note with suggested wording for certificate [extant].

Smith misinformed as to [Thomas] Marsham being a defaulter to government, concerned that the report originated from a statement of his own and explains the situation; no doubt of who Smith heard the information from, and the "sanctuary which has been shown in that quarter against the poor unfortunate man in question has disgusted" many. Impossible nature of the situation; prison only option, which denies all the work Marsham did for the Society.

Encloses certificate nominating [DeWitt] Clinton for FMLS; [David] Hosack also wants him to be a fellow or foreign member of the Royal Society; hopes to be at Linnen Society meeting of 5 May but if there is any chance of Clinton being rejected would prefer he is not proposed.

Cannot justify prison for [Thomas] Marsham when the Linnean Society is "so highly indebted to his assistance". His own "private thoughts & speculations" on Marsham's character and financial history, asks for confirmation from Macleay.